Teddy Bridgewater, the former Denver Broncos starting quarterback, has made a surprising return to the NFL after a brief retirement. After spending the 2023 season coaching at his high school alma mater, Bridgewater has signed with the Detroit Lions, a move that was first reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and confirmed by Lions coach Dan Campbell. This decision marks a significant shift for Bridgewater, who had previously stepped away from professional football to focus on coaching.

Bridgewater was a first-round pick in 2014 and had a notable stint with the Broncos, where he started 14 games, throwing for 3,052 yards and achieving a 7-7 record. Following his time in Denver, he served as a backup quarterback in Miami and Detroit before transitioning to coaching. Under his leadership, his high school team recently won a state championship, fulfilling one of his coaching aspirations.

At 32, Bridgewater is eager to reclaim his place in the NFL and aims to secure another championship ring. He is expected to compete for the backup quarterback position with Hendon Hooker behind starter Jared Goff. The Lions, viewed as strong contenders for the Super Bowl, currently lead the NFC, and Bridgewater's experience is seen as a valuable asset to the team's dynamics.