The Lions insist adding a veteran QB is not a sign of Hendon Hooker’s growth

ALLEN PARK – When a team adds a veteran quarterback like Teddy Bridgewater this late in the season, it’s understandable if questions arise about the rationale.

Especially considering Hendon Hooker’s focus last year was to become the Detroit Lions’ primary backup quarterback. Dan Campbell and the Lions are doing their best to answer those questions, walking the line between excitement and belief, saying the addition of Bridgewater says nothing about their confidence in Hooker.

“We have been in contact with Teddy for some time. And it was always a potential possibility,” Campbell said. “We all know what Teddy did down there. He gives something back to his community. They won a championship, so his debut as a coach worked out pretty well.

“Being able to hire someone here again who has experience. He stays in shape. He threw. Just make sure he gets some training here. He just brings a level of professionalism and veteran presence, someone who will be great for our team. He’s great for the position. That doesn’t mean we’re disappointed with Hooker. That’s not what this means. It just means we have someone who has played a lot in the NFL.”

When asked by MLive if the Lions needed to keep Hooker updated on this after he said it had been in the works for some time, the head coach said they addressed the situation “as it comes.”

“Look, he’s doing better. He really did,” Campbell said of Hooker. “We feel like he’s getting a little better every week. That doesn’t mean Hooker is out. That’s not what this means. If it comes to that, Hooker will play for us. But Teddy probably will too. I understand what it looks like. But we’re getting ready to enter a different world and we just felt like this was the right thing to do. Especially with someone I have a lot of trust in and around.

“He (Bridgewater) understands our offense. The boys know him well. The coaches know him well. It brings us a measure of comfort.”

Bridgewater’s signing is official. The backup quarterback was spotted wearing number 12 at practice on Thursday.

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Bridgewater and Hooker are no strangers to each other, spending last season in the same room and even spending time as makeshift roommates this past offseason. Bridgewater spent his only season with the Lions as the primary backup to Jared Goff and then focused on working with Hooker for his QB2 role.

“I have my own place, but this time I’m going to go there and stay with Teddy, really spend time with Teddy and his family,” Hooker told MLive before last offseason.

“He really welcomed me into his circle, and that’s a blessing.”

In three appearances this season, Hooker has completed six passes and nine throws for 62 yards. The Lions have come through a few losses this season, giving Hooker some valuable live snaps in real games.

Still, Bridgewater knows the program, the team and the staff well. His reputation as one of the NFL’s best and most reliable backup quarterbacks is hard to ignore, especially for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Bridgewater is a former first-round pick and Pro Bowl starting quarterback. A serious knee injury he suffered while playing for the Minnesota Vikings threatened his career. But Bridgewater returned and ended up starting 65 games in his career, securing his status as a bankable option.

The veteran quarterback also spent time with Campbell and company while with the New Orleans Saints, going 5-0 in five starts. Campbell reiterated that this addition is about adding an NFL-ready quarterback, an all-around resource and a helpful teammate like Bridgewater.

Mark Brunell, the team’s quarterbacks coach, said he couldn’t wait to see Bridgewater again and have him back in his room. He also ensured that Hooker was able to continue to improve his role this season.

Asked if Hooker was at the point where he would be trusted to play in a postseason game, Brunell replied: “I definitely would.”

“Every week he’s getting better, and he really is,” Brunell said. “His mechanics. Its basics. Understanding the defenses he faces as well as his preparation and work ethic, I can’t say enough about him.

“He was great. And he’s really getting better. He’s going to be a really good quarterback in this league. I’m happy for him.”

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