The role of a backup quarterback is more than just being the next available passer in case a quarterback gets injured.
For the Detroit Lions, having Teddy Bridgewater on the roster provides the coaching staff and starter Jared Goff a great deal of comfort.
All across the NFL, backup quarterbacks have been required to fill in for starters who have been injured.
Most notably, starters Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow and Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson are out for a significant period of tiime.
For the Detroit Lions, having Bridgewater has been invaluable to Goff, especially during the week of preparation leading up to a game.
“I think if you ask coach Campbell this question, he’d say that’s why Teddy’s here. He is a proven winner, he has proven that he can come off the bench and win five games in a row for you if necessary," Brunell said. "Did that in New Orleans. He is very smart, very talented and for a very, very old man, he can still play quarterback at a high level.
"I love having Teddy. He’s been great for Jared on game day, he’s been great in the room and he adds a lot. He brings a lot of value to the quarterback room," Brunell explained further. "If called upon, I think we would all be very comfortable if Teddy had to go in there. I love him to death. We want Jared upright and healthy and being our guy. But if necessary, Teddy would step in and do just fine.”
Brunell elaborated what he was seeking in a backup and what he tried to bring the starter when he served as a backup.
"Knowing that the number two quarterback, my backup, was there to be an extra set of eyes. To be in a support role. To help me on game day. To help me see things that, perhaps, I'm not seeing correctly," Brunell explained. "Smart, veteran guy that would come alongside and just help me. As a backup, I tried to be the same thing and I had experience with both.
Brunell's career spanned 19 seasons from 1993-2011 that included stints with the Packers, Jaguars, Commanders, Saints and Jets.
"Half the time in my career, I was a backup, half the time I was a starter," Brunell said. "So, I know what those two positions entail. A backup quarterback should be there to support the starter. That is ideal, it creates a really good working environment where the quarterback feels supported. That has been Teddy for Jared. That's been really good for us. I can't say enough about Teddy, and David of course. Our room is solid right now, and really, our number one goal in that room is to help Jared be the best he can be on Sundays."
More must-reads: