Teddy Bridgewater is officially back in Detroit. The signing that was all but confirmed since the start of the offseason was finally announced by the Lions on Monday. Right now, Bridgewater is expected to be the QB2 behind Jared Goff. Based on his latest comments, the veteran signal-caller has the utmost confidence in his ability. Yet, the Lions shouldn't be tricked by Bridgewater's remarks and continue their backup quarterback search.
The 33-year-old QB said, "It's like I visited the fountain of youth or something this last year. ... There's just something in me that's like, 'Man, you know what?' I can do this again. "I've got so much left to offer this game," per The Detroit News' Nolan Bianchi. He added that now that he has gotten some coaching experience and contemplated retirement, he is now ready to "keep playing ball."
Lions Have to Keep Their Options at QB Despite Teddy Bridgewater's Confidence
The fountain of youth has led Bridgewater to Detroit for the third time in his career. The Lions' interest in Bridgewater is certainly understandable. He knows the organization, the teammates, and what Dan Campbell expects from him. He is an excellent locker room presence who fits the Lions' identity like a glove.
That doesn't necessarily mean that the QB2 role should be his to lose, though. Teddy B is still 33 years old and hasn't started since the 2022 season. Even if he indeed found the fountain of youth, we haven't seen any evidence of it. He appeared in relief of Baker Mayfield in four games last season, throwing 8/15 for 62 yards and getting sacked twice.
The sample size for Bridgewater in Detroit is also nearly non-existent. Jared Goff hasn't missed a game in four seasons, so the Lions never had to rely on Bridgewater or any other backup. Bridgewater started two preseason games in 2023 as a Lion, but his numbers aren't particularly eye-popping. He was 18/33 on his throws for 212 yards and a touchdown, and a 84.4 QBR.
Plus, there is a reason Bridgewater previously retired from the NFL in the first place. After his first season with the Lions, the veteran QB announced his retirement and joined his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High School, as a head coach. The Miami native had suffered one of the most severe injuries in recent memory in the 2016 offseason, which seriously derailed his career. He was never the same after that leg injury. He held starting jobs in Carolina and Denver since then, but neither stint went particularly well for Bridgewater.
While it's excellent to see Bridgewater get his joy and excitement back, it would be foolish for the Lions to enter the season without opening up a QB2 competition. Whether it's through the draft or free agency, the Lions would be best served by bringing in another option to the QB room.