The Detroit Lions drafted former Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft this past spring.
While the Lions did not draft Hooker to throw him in as the starter right away, Detroit did pick up the former Tennessee quarterback as a potential replacement for current quarterback Jared Goff down the road.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell has already come out and said that 2023 will essentially be a redshirt year for Hooker as he continues to work back to 100 percent from the ACL tear last November. So with Hooker basically being unavailable this season, Detroit has made a move to add to their quarterback room.
The Lions added veteran free agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater this week according to multiple reports around the NFL.
Lions signing QB Teddy Bridgewater. (via @RapSheet + @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/lIX8cPzx5u
— NFL (@NFL) August 7, 2023
More from RTI: How the Southern Classic ‘Waffle House’ Helped Lead John Campbell to Tennessee
It’s unclear how long Bridgewater’s contract with the Lions is for. This story will be updated when the contract details are released.
Campbell has been vocal about his admiration for Bridgewater and the desire to bring in more competition in the Lions’ quarterback room. So, with the move at the beginning of the week, Campbell gets his wish.
Bridgewater’s arrival to the Detroit quarterback room won’t affect Hooker during his rookie season as the former Tennessee quarterback is expected not to play.
Hooker began the preseason on the NFI (Non-Football Injury) list and is required to miss the first eight games of the season due to it. Bridgewater’s arrival in Detroit gives the Lions a veteran backup for the entire season as the team prepares for a run to the playoffs.
Bridgewater’s time in Detroit will be beneficial for Hendon Hooker, though. Bridgewater suffered an ACL tear going into his third NFL season in 2016 and was able to bounce back to return to the level of the NFL. Perhaps there are few better to sit behind and learn from than a quarterback proven to overcome ACL surgery in the past.
