The Detroit Lions made a late-season move to bolster their quarterback room on Thursday by bringing back veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who recently came out of retirement.
Bridgewater played with the Lions last season as a backup to Jared Goff and served as a mentor to Hendon Hooker. However, after the 2023 season, Bridgewater decided to retire and take on the role of head coach at his former high school, where he led the team to a state championship.
In 2024, Hooker earned the backup role in training camp over Nate Sudfeld and has held that position, though he’s only played sparingly, throwing just nine passes in three games.
There’s been speculation that the re-signing of Bridgewater indicates the Lions may lack full confidence in Hooker, which makes sense considering Hooker’s limited experience and the high stakes the team is facing.
Both head coach Dan Campbell and quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell have shown confidence in Hooker, though Campbell acknowledged that both quarterbacks could see action if Goff were injured.
“This doesn’t mean Hooker is out. That’s not what this means. If it comes to that, Hooker is going to play for us, but Teddy probably will, too,” Campbell said, via Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit.
“I understand what it looks like, but it’s just a different world we’re about to enter, and we felt this was the right move, especially with someone I trust greatly. He knows our offense, the players know him, the coaches know him, and he brings comfort.”
Hooker wasn’t surprised by Bridgewater’s return, saying it’s something he expected since the summer. Hooker was also pleased to reconnect with a mentor he values.
“I figured Teddy was going to come back here this season,” Hooker said, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I didn’t know when, but I knew once his season was over, he’d return. We’ve talked about it since the summer.”
“Definitely miss having him in the room, especially when Jared is off doing his thing,” Hooker continued. “I still ask him questions. He’s still my mentor, and I rely on him for advice, whether it’s about football, life, or being a professional.”
Ultimately, the Lions’ decision proved to be a smart one. Having added experienced depth at quarterback never hurts, and Bridgewater is a valuable asset for Hooker’s growth.
