Detroit’s depth at the position was lacking last season, despite Goff’s good play and health. The only other person on the roster who could complete a throw was punter Jack Fox. Nate Sudfeld, the backup quarterback, did play in two games but did not record any stats.

When Bridgewater paid the Lions a visit in late July, Campbell expressed his interest in him honestly.

You want to know that you are in the best hands possible. We’re in Year 3 [of Campbell’s coaching career], and I think we’re in a much better situation. “I’ll end it there, but there’s more to it—the competition,” Campbell said to reporters on July 25 during training camp. “If we choose this path, it doesn’t imply that Nate is out of anything.It turns out to be okay. You want to make sure that the person that emerges from the fire is the right person to support you, but you also don’t want the wheels to come off.”

Bridgewater was Tua Tagovailoa’s main backup during his one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins last season. Despite suffering injuries throughout the season, he ended up covering for Tagovailoa on several occasions.

He ultimately got to start two games, but injuries ended up keeping him out of both of them. Week 5 saw Bridgewater pushed out of his first start against the New York Jets after playing just one snap and entering the concussion protocol. Then, he had to forfeit his Week 17 debut.following an injury to his throwing hand’s pinkie finger, allowing rookie Skylar Thompson to start both the regular-season finale and the AFC wild-card game against the Buffalo Bills.

In five games overall, the 30-year-old Bridgewater saw play and completed 62% of his 79 throws for 683 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions.

Bridgewater started 29 games in two seasons with the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers before signing with the Dolphins. Throughout his eight NFL seasons, the 2014 first-round pick has also appeared for the Saints and Minnesota Vikings. He has completed 66.4% of his throws while throwing for 15,120 yards and 75 touchdowns, versus 47 interceptions. In addition, he has 11 more touchdowns and 84 yards of rushes.