Bridgewater coming out of retirement to join Lions

Teddy Bridgewater is coming out of retirement and signing with the Detroit Lions, the team announced Thursday.

Bridgewater, 32, announced his retirement last year after spending one season with the Lions.

The Louisville product brings plenty of experience to the Lions' quarterback room. He'll join a depth chart that features Jared Goff, Detroit's starter, and 2023 third-round pick Hendon Hooker, who's serving as the backup. Jake Fromm is currently on the team's practice sqaud.

Head coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that the team had been in contact with Bridgewater for a while and added that Bridgewater's return isn't an indictment on the development of Hooker.

"It just brings a level of professionalism, veteran presence, somebody that's great for our team, great for the position," Campbell said, according to the Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett.

Bridgewater started 65 games over nine seasons in the league. He earned a Pro Bowl nod during his 2015 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings, where he spent the first three seasons of his career, and also dressed for the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos.

The 2014 first-round pick became the head coach at Miami Northwestern High School after retiring and led his alma mater to a state title this past season.

Bridgewater boasts a 33-32 record as a starter in the NFL. He's passed for 15,120 yards, 75 touchdowns, 47 interceptions, and owns a 66.4% career completion rate.