Teddy Bridgewater and Jameson Williams: A Match Made in Detroit: Bridgewater’s Return to Detroit, A Dream Comes True for Williams

The Detroit Lions are bringing veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater back for the stretch run, a move that has as much to do with intangibles as roster insurance.

Perhaps the biggest intangible Bridgewater can bring the Lions at this point? A locked-in and happy Jameson Williams, who will see a brotherly influence return just ahead of postseason crunch-time.

Dan Campbell believes that Bridgewater’s return to the locker room will be an ideal addition at the right time of the season.

“It just brings a level of professionalism, (a) veteran presence. Somebody that’s great for our team. He’s great for the position. Doesn’t mean we’re disappointed in (Hendon) Hooker, that’s not what this means. This gives us 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.”

That’s particularly true for Williams, who had a strong relationship with Bridgewater last season. After a rocky 2024 season at times, the return of Bridgewater could be what gets Williams to take his game to a consistent level.

Bridgewater could provide Williams a familiar face that could get him to turn his game up to the needed level ahead of the playoffs. As excited as the Lions are to have him back, Williams should feel even better about the addition.

Dan Campbell believes Teddy Bridgewater can mentor other young players

The Lions hope Bridgewater can do for other young players what he did for Williams. Playoff success can be about morale, and Campbell sees Bridgewater having a positive impact on others in the locker room.

“I think it’s great for our team. I think everybody in that locker room respects Teddy (Bridgewater) and what he stands for and the type of human being he is, but also the type of player. Whenever he gets his sea legs back under him, he’s going to test those guys a little bit defensively which is good in practice. I just feel like when you get guys that you feel make everybody around them a little bit better, it’s hard not to have those guys around.”

Last season, Williams took strides toward becoming the player the Lions believe he is. After a bumpy start to this year, hope is back that he can continue on a strong track. Putting a pro like Bridgewater back in the locker room is a smart move for a team with championship aspirations.