Lions Sign Former Pro Bowl QB Ahead of Playoffs

The Detroit Lions are preparing for the crucial last two weeks of the NFL regular season. With a win over the San Francisco 49ers and a Minnesota Vikings loss, the Lions can clinch the top seed in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

However, more important than their seeding is their need to get healthier before the playoffs.

The Lions have been decimated by injuries all season, especially on the defensive end. They are missing six starters on that side of the field, causing concern among the fanbase. While their lack of depth on the defensive end has received a ton of attention, one of their glaring weaknesses has gone under the radar.

Because Jared Goff hasn't missed a game in the last three seasons, the backup QB situation is rarely mentioned in Detroit. The Lions began the season with Hendon Hooker as their QB2. The third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft made his NFL debut earlier this season, relieving Goff in a blowout victory. However, the second-year player has yet to make an NFL start.

The Lions felt that was a concern heading into the postseason with Super Bowl aspirations. The idea of throwing Hooker into the fire in case of an emergency was too big a risk to take for the Lions.

Fortunately for Lions fans, the front office addressed this need on Thursday. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is returning to the Lions for his NFL comeback.

NFL News: Lions Sign QB Teddy Bridgewater

Bridgewater last played in the NFL for the Lions, signing in Detroit last offseason to reunite with his former assistant coach, Dan Campbell. He wasn't needed much last season, as Goff started every game. He then announced his retirement from the NFL and became the head coach for the Miami Northwestern High School in Florida, which won a state championship this year.

Bringing back a competent veteran who already knows the system, coaching staff, and the players is a smart move. Rather than integrating a new QB2 with two weeks left in the season, the Lions will feel much better about Bridgewater picking up where he left off.

Despite starting in 65 games in the NFL, Bridgewater only appeared in one playoff game when he was with the Vikings in his second season. Whether he will get a chance to play a snap for the Lions in the playoffs remains to be seen but Lions fans can certainly feel better heading into the postseason.

More Lions news and rumors: