The Detroit Lions could be the team where Teddy Bridgewater winds up signing in free agency.
Although he is taking his sweet time finding his next place to play, the Detroit Lions would actually be an incredible landing spot for journeyman quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Bridgewater spent last season serving as Tua Tagovailoa’s backup on his hometown Miami Dolphins. With Miami signing former New York Jets cult hero Mike White, it seems to be more of the same for Bridgewater. Another year, another team. Who’s next? The Lions need a backup for Jared Goff and Bridgewater has a rapport with Dan Campbell from their New Orleans Saints days.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the feelings between Bridgewater and the Lions could be mutual.
Although the Lions could draft Goff’s long-term successor at No. 6 in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bridgewater serving as his backup could help Detroit win its first division title since realignment.
NFL rumors: Detroit Lions could be who Teddy Bridgewater ends up signing with
After his once-promising career was derailed due to a ghastly injury with the Minnesota Vikings, Bridgewater has found a second life in the league as a high-end backup and potential stop-gap starter. He has played everywhere from the Saints, Dolphins, New York Jets, Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers. Some spots have been better than others, but Detroit makes a ton of sense.
With the Green Bay Packers expected to trade Aaron Rodgers before the NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears rebuilding and the Vikings having to sort through salary cap issues, the NFC North could be, dare I say it, the Lions to lose. Detroit was probably the best team in the NFL last year that did not make the playoffs. Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes are building something special.
Overall, Goff is still highly underrated but is a better and more consistent passer at this point of his career than Bridgewater. However, if he were to get hurt, the Lions cannot squander their best chance at making the postseason in quite some time. Having familiarity with Campbell and the NFC North as a whole is a huge plus for Bridgewater. Playing indoors is what is best for his game.
Ultimately, this all comes down to what the Lions chose to do at No. 6 with the Los Angeles Rams’ pick. They could draft more of a project quarterback in Florida’s Anthony Richardson or Kentucky’s Will Levis and that pick will be justified. Conversely, wouldn’t they rather stop Jalen Carter’s slide or add the best non-quarterback left on the board at that point in time? I would prefer they do that.
Should the Lions sign Bridgewater before the draft, it signifies what Detroit could do in the draft.