Jared Goff showed last year that he can certainly handle the role and duties of being the starting quarterback for the Detroit Lions. Despite that, this remains the NFL and anything can happen. Brad Holmes and his front office took a step towards always being prepared by signing Teddy Bridgewater to back up the former No. 1 overall pick on Monday.
The former Louisville Cardinal is familiar with playing against the Lions, but now he will have to adjust to playing for them. Bridgewater was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014 and had looked to be a long-term solution for the team before injury struck. Since coming back from a near career-ending injury, Bridgewater has served and found mild success as a backup around the league.
What are the Lions getting in Teddy Bridgewater?
Teddy Bridgewater had been seen by some as a worthy candidate for being the top pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Despite that evaluation, Bridgewater went back to school for his Senior year before entering the league in 2014 and was drafted by the Vikings as discussed earlier.
Before suffering a knee injury that would end his tenure with the team, the former Louisville Cardinal started 12 games for the Vikings and played well enough to be voted the Pepsi Rookie of the Year. He followed that up with a Pro Bowl season in 2015 before suffering a devastating injury during training camp that included a torn ACL and dislocated knee.
He would miss all of the 2015 season and most of the 2016 season before appearing for the Vikings late in the season. The team had declined his fifth-year option which meant after that season he would be a free agent. From 2016 on, Bridgewater would begin his run as a backup or serviceable spot-starter around the league.
He would make stops on the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, and Denver Broncos before signing with the Miami Dolphins last offseason.
In 2022, Bridgewater showed he could still have a live arm at times when the situation called for it. He filled in for the team while Tua Tagovailoa was placed in concussion protocol and made some splash plays.
Teddy Bridgewater & Tyreek Hill connect on a 64-yard gain. #MIAvsCIN on Prime Video
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/Phmgdb9VGl pic.twitter.com/2Tpd9kzoRZ— NFL (@NFL) September 30, 2022
The Lions will be hoping they don’t have to use Teddy Bridgewater much in 2023 if they are being honest. If disaster can’t be avoided, the way that this team is built is the type to support Bridgewater best. The drafting of Jahmyr Gibbs paired with David Montgomery tells that they know they will be a team to utilize the run when they can. Making that position a priority is not one that many teams do, but for the gritty style and approach this team has, this all fits together perfectly.
