Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker just received some new competition in the Detroit Lions' quarterback room in the form of a familiar face.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed on Thursday that quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is coming out of retirement to sign with Detroit ahead of the NFL playoffs.
Bridgewater, a former first round draft pick who retired before the start of the 2024 season, spent the 2023 season with Lions.
The former Louisville Cardinals standout recently led Miami Northwestern to a state championship.
When the news first broke that Bridgewater was returning to Detroit, the immediate question for Vols fans centered around Hooker.
Was the decision to bring Bridgewater back a sign that Detroit doesn't like what they see from Hooker?
That's an understandable question, but according to Campbell, it's not the reality of the situation.
Campbell told reporters on Thursday that the team is happy with Hooker. When it comes to Bridgewater, the Lions simply think he can be an asset in the playoffs because of his decade of NFL experience and his professionalism.
“It doesn’t mean that we are disappointed in Hooker,” said Campbell. “That's not what this means. It just means this gives us a guy, somebody that's played a lot in the NFL. We're getting ready for the playoffs, so it'll be good to get him back in the fold with us."
“He’s improved, he really has,” added Campbell in regards to Hooker. “We feel like every week he's gotten a little bit better. And this does not mean that Hooker is out. That's not what this means. If it comes to that, Hooker's gonna play for us. But Teddy probably will, too.
“I understand what it looks like, but it’s just a different world that we’re getting ready to walk into. And I just felt like this (bringing Bridgewater back) is the right thing to do. Especially with somebody that I have a tremendous amount of trust with."
It's a move that make sense for the Lions -- adding Bridgewater undoubtedly makes the Lions' quarterback room stronger.
As for Hooker, it certainly appears that he's locked into a backup role with Detroit for the next two seasons (2025 and 2026), barring an injury to starter Jared Goff.
Hooker, a third round selection by the Lions in 2023 who will turn 27 in January, won't be a free agent until after the 2026 season when he'll be going into his age 29 season.
