Lions Have a New Quarterback, and He Has a Message for Detroit

The Detroit Lions have a new quarterback in town, and he’s already making a statement with his first comments in the Motor City. While the Lions have had a steady franchise quarterback for several years in Jared Goff, who inked with the team on March 17, 2021, the team’s quarterback room has never really been solid.

For a while, the Lions relied on quarterback Hendon Hooker, who was drafted to the team during the 2023 NFL draft, but they cut ties with Hooker in August of 2025. From there, he signed to the Carolina Panthers‘ practice squad but was released in November of that year. Then, Hooker joined New York Jets‘ practice squad in December of that year but didn’t play. So, Hooker simply didn’t work out for the Lions.

But, now, the Detroit Lions have a new quarterback to serve as Goff’s backup, and while they still need another solid signal-caller in their roster, at least they have a veteran in that role who appears to be confident about his abilities.

---

New Detroit Lions Quarterback Discusses His Health and Vibrance

The Detroit Lions officially signed backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on Monday, March 23. Contract terms weren’t disclosed. Most recently, Bridgewater was the backup quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he’s played with a bevy of teams over the years.

“Entering his 12th NFL season, Bridgewater returns for his third stint in Detroit after previously spending time with the team in the 2023 and 2024 campaigns,” the Detroit Lions stated on their official website.

In 83-career games and 65 starts in the league, Bridgewater has completed 1,380-of-2,082 passes at 66.3 percent for 15,182 yards and 75 touchdowns with a 90.3 passer rating, according to Lions research.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Bridgewater said that at 33-years-old, he feels healthy and physically ready to go for Detroit.

“I don’t know what it is. I don’t know if it’s my children or just being back home, but it’s just something in me that’s just like, ‘Man, you know what? I could do this again,’” Bridgewater said Monday afternoon. “The past couple years I was one foot in, one foot out, contemplating retirement, contemplating playing, coaching, doing all these different things.”

He added, “And now it’s like, ‘OK. I’ve coached. I know what that’s like. I’ve been retired. I know what that’s like.’ But I just want to keep playing ball.”

---

Detroit Lions Warned They ‘Shouldn’t Be Tricked’ by New Quarterback’s Comments

So, Detroit, Bridgewater is ready. But, in a Tuesday, March 24 feature on the quarterback, Cem Yolbulan of Detroit Jock City says the “Lions shouldn’t be tricked by Bridgewater’s remarks and continue their backup quarterback search.”

On one hand, he says that “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.” Those are all good things.

But, Yolbulan says that “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.” So, he warns that “the Lions would be best served by bringing in another option to the QB room.”

Anne Erickson is an award-winning reporter for Heavy Sports covering the NFL, NBA and college football. Anne Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and additional sports, and her work has been published via ESPN, Fox Sports and more. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Erickson also hosts several podcasts and is a Detroit-based radio host. More about Anne Erickson