Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Lions host 65-game starting quarterback for visit

By Vinny Somma | Last updated Jul 24, 2023 6:48 PM ET

The Detroit Lions appear to be in the market for some veteran depth behind starting signal-caller Jared Goff.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport , free agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is visiting the Lions on Monday. Bridgewater, 30, spent the past season with the Miami Dolphins, serving as Tua Tagovailoa's primary backup before suffering a broken finger in Week 17 against the New England Patriots.

The #Lions hosted FA QB Teddy Bridgewater today, per the wire. There has been interest for some time.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 24, 2023

A first-round pick by the Vikings in 2014, Bridgewater has bounced around the league since his exit from Minnesota, playing for five different teams since 2018.

During Bridgewater's two-year stint with the New Orleans Saints, Bridgewater crossed paths with current Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who was the Saints assistant head coach and tight end coach from 2016-20.

Teddy Bridgewater on Dan Campbell: "I was able to spend those two years with him in New Orleans. Whenever he stood in front of the team and talked, you’re ready to just storm out of that meeting and punch a guy in the face for no reason. Dan is awesome."
— Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) December 8, 2021

Goff is entrenched as the Lions Week 1 starter following a prolific, albeit under-the-radar 2022 campaign. In 17 games, the former No. 1 overall pick amassed 4,438 yards passing, 29 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.

Detroit used a third-round selection on Hendon Hooker in the 2023 NFL draft. While the Tennessee product has the traits to serve as the long-term answer under center for the Lions, Hooker is expected to miss training camp while recovering from an ACL tear suffered in November, per the Detroit Free Press.

The #Lions placed rookie QB Hendon Hooker on the Non-Football Injury reserve list.

Also waived Kicker Michael Badgley. pic.twitter.com/IfQq7YGHaU
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 20, 2023

Bridgewater is one of the league's premier backup quarterbacks. Appearing in 78 games over his nine-year career (65 starts), he owns a 90.5 passer rating.

Adding Bridgewater to Detroit's quarterback room would give Hooker another veteran mentor while helping solidify the position behind Goff.

Vinny Somma

Vinny Somma boasts nearly a decade of experience as a sports writer and editor. He held the positions of NBA and UFC Editor at Heavy. Prior to this role, he acted as the lead contributor for Heavy's coverage of the New York Giants, Boston Celtics and Fantasy Football.

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