The Detroit Lions signed free agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater Monday, reuniting the journeyman backup with head coach Dan Campbell. The two worked together as members of the New Orleans Saints when Bridgewater was there from 2018 to 2019.
Though Bridgewater isn’t expected to compete with quarterback Jared Goff for the starting job but could very well become the team’s backup ahead of veteran Nate Sudfeld. Now in his third year as Detroit’s head coach, Campbell is looking to ensure that the team continues moving forward after two steadily improving seasons.
“We’re Year 3 and I think we’re in a much better position, and you want to know that you are in the best hands possible. I’ll leave it at that, but that’s also – it’s the competition,” Campbell told reporters on July 25, shortly after Bridgewater’s first visit. “It doesn’t mean that Nate’s out of anything if we go this route if it works out. You’ll feel good about whoever comes out of the fire is going to be the right guy to help you along the way, but yeah, you don’t want the wheels to fall off.”
Since entering the NFL in 2014, Bridgewater has played under center for five different franchises, mostly in emergency situations. His early career with the Minnesota Vikings was derailed by injuries, but as a journeyman, he filled in for the Saints in 2018 and 2019 before playing nearly full seasons for the Panthers and Broncos. He most recently played for the Miami Dolphins, replacing Tua Tagovailoa after the young star suffered a litany of head injuries during the 2023 season.
In nine NFL seasons, two of which were almost completely spent on the injured list in Minnesota, Bridgewater has played in 78 games, amassing 15,120 passing yards and 75 touchdowns through the air. He maintains a 90.5 passer rating over the course of his career.
The Lions entered Week 18 last year with a chance to make the postseason. Though they were unsuccessful, their performance was far removed from their notoriously mediocre reputation. Under Campbell’s leadership, the team has loaded up on young talent and could be poised to make an even more determined playoff run in 2023.
