The Lions are bringing Bridgewater again, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo report. Bridgewater spent final season in Detroit, announcing he would retire before season’s end. Because the Lions try to succeed in their first Tremendous Bowl a 12 months later, they’ve secured veteran QB depth by way of a reunion.
This may give the Lions extra familiarity, as Bridgewater rejoins a quarterback room housing Jared Goff and Hendon Hooker. Bridgewater, 32, had performed forward of Hooker throughout the latter’s rookie season — one spent totally on the reserve/NFI record thanks to a school ACL tear — however the second-year passer has labored as Goff’s backup this 12 months. Goff and Hooker are the one two QBs on Detroit’s energetic roster. Except Bridgewater is becoming a member of the NFC North leaders’ observe squad, the crew will carry three QBs once more.
Upon retiring, Bridgewater landed an attention-grabbing gig. He turned the pinnacle coach of his alma mater, Miami Northwestern Excessive, and he led the varsity to a state championship. This won’t be a long-term transfer, as Bridgewater hinted at returning to the league before potentially stepping again into the position of head coach at his former highschool. It seems Bridgewater and the Lions had stored in touch, and the edges have a minimum of agreed on a short-term partnership for a second straight 12 months.
The Lions had initially signed Bridgewater early throughout their 2023 coaching camp. They then positioned Nate Sudfeld on IR, clearing the best way for the veteran passer to again up Goff. Detroit didn’t want Bridgewater final season, as Goff continued to show sturdiness, and has not wanted Hooker to make any begins this 12 months. Throughout his Lions stint, Goff has solely missed time attributable to damage in 2021. His rebound has been one of many defining NFL tales this decade, and the edges agreed on a long-term extension this offseason. Bridgewater, nonetheless, would provide expertise Hooker doesn’t.
It will stand to motive Bridgewater has stored himself in fine condition throughout his preliminary stint teaching at the highschool stage. The previous first-round choose was unable to remain wholesome throughout his 2022 Dolphins stint, however he held up in a backup position with the Lions. Bridgewater has made 65 begins over the course of his profession, one which included a restoration from a extreme knee damage. The 2014 draftee has labored as a full-time starter for the Panthers and Broncos.
Dan Campbell stated throughout coaching camp Sudfeld was outperforming Hooker, however the Lions didn’t preserve three QBs on their energetic roster. They as a substitute minimize Sudfeld, later including Jake Fromm to their observe squad. Fromm serves as Detroit’s No. 3 quarterback, so his standing will likely be value monitoring now that Bridgewater is again.
