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 yr 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 in the course of the latter’s rookie season — one spent totally on the reserve/NFI listing thanks to a school ACL tear — however the second-year passer has labored as Goff’s backup this yr. Goff and Hooker are the one two QBs on Detroit’s energetic roster. Except Bridgewater is becoming a member of the NFC North leaders’ apply squad, the crew will carry three QBs once more.
Upon retiring, Bridgewater landed an attention-grabbing gig. He grew to become the pinnacle coach of his alma mater, Miami Northwestern Excessive, and he led the college 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 perimeters have at the very least agreed on a short-term partnership for a second straight yr.
The Lions had initially signed Bridgewater early throughout their 2023 coaching camp. They then positioned Nate Sudfeld on IR, clearing the way in which 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 yr. Throughout his Lions stint, Goff has solely missed time on account of harm in 2021. His rebound has been one of many defining NFL tales this decade, and the perimeters agreed on a long-term extension this offseason. Bridgewater, nonetheless, would provide expertise Hooker doesn’t.
It could stand to cause Bridgewater has stored himself in good condition throughout his preliminary stint teaching at the highschool degree. 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 harm. 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 maintain three QBs on their energetic roster. They as an alternative lower Sudfeld, later including Jake Fromm to their apply squad. Fromm serves as Detroit’s No. 3 quarterback, so his standing can be price monitoring now that Bridgewater is again.
