Bridgewater and Dan Campbell remained in contact on a regular basis and the talks were not just about football or planning his return. When asked what it would mean to win a Super Bowl for Campbell and Aaron Glenn, Bridgewater shared insights into how much his relationship with Detroit's coaches meant to him.

High school state championship-winning coach and NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is coming out of retirement. Bridgewater will be re-signing with the Detroit Lions ahead of the team's playoff push. Read more: Teddy Bridgewater to End Retirement to Re-sign With Lions For Playoff Push

The Detroit Lions have been one of the best teams in the NFL during the 2024 regular season. Detroit is 13-2 heading into Week 17 and has a legitimate chance to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture on Sunday.

Usually, a Super Bowl contender signing a new backup quarterback in Week 17 signals a glaring lack of faith in their usual No. 2. But Lions head coach Dan Campbell insisted on Thursday that adding Teddy Bridgewater “doesn’t mean we’re disappointed” in 2023 third-rounder Hendon Hooker, who has spent the season backing up Jared Goff.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the team's decision to sign quarterback Teddy Bridgewater at a Thursday press conference.

Teddy Bridgewater is looking to win two championships this season. After leading Miami Northwestern high school to a Florida state championship as their head coach, the former first-round pick is coming out of retirement to join the Lions for the rest of the season.

"I really haven't put it into perspective yet," quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said of his recent return the Detroit Lions. "It happened so fast."

Former Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is signing with the Detroit Lions, which coach Dan Campbell confirmed Thursday. The NFL Network first reported the transaction. Bridgewater joined Detroit as the backup to starting quarterback Jared Goff in 2023 ...

Coaches: Al Groh, Herman Edwards, Eric Mangini, Rex Ryan, Todd Bowles, Adam Gase, Robert Saleh, Jeff Ulbrich. Carolina Panthers Record: 181-222-1 Winning Percentage: .

Jahmyr Gibbs delivered spinning stiff-arms and bolted through webs of would-be tacklers for a 170-yard, four-touchdown performance, leading the Detroit Lions over the Minnesota Vikings in their regular-season finale.

Dan Campbell