4 Quarterbacks Lions Could Add to Roster
When the offseason began, the Detroit Lions made a plan to address the quarterback position.
Jared Goff is the team's unquestioned starter. Yet, general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell set a goal to establish a backup option in the event their starter suffers an injury.
The team has made three moves at the position during the offseason. Last year's backup, Nate Sudfeld, re-signed with the team on a one-year deal.
In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Lions picked Tennessee signal-caller Hendon Hooker in the third round. Meanwhile, Kansas State's Adrian Martinez signed with the team as an undrafted free agent.
Though Hooker is both an exciting and intriguing option, he's coming off a torn ACL. With questions about his health, the Lions will be forced to potentially add another option.
“We still have Nate Sudfeld behind Jared. We like what Nate did last year. Obviously, he didn’t get any meaningful game snaps, but we’ve seen enough of him throughout the regular season in practice, in the meeting room, that we felt comfortable bringing him back. I’ve always said from Day 1 that I wanted to add a lot more competition and a lot more resources in that room," Holmes said in a recent interview with WJR. "I felt like we were able to do that, not only bringing back Nate, but getting Hendon. We’ll also have another quarterback in, because you still (have) two healthy quarterbacks. So, you still need a third healthy quarterback."
Here are four quarterbacks the Lions could consider adding heading into training camp.
Teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater and the Lions have been linked throughout the offseason. Reports surfaced that the team had offered him a contract in the weeks leading up to the draft.
Throughout his eight-year career, he's established himself as a reliable spot starter. The 30-year-old has a 33-32 record as a starter.
He's been a journeyman since being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014. Among the teams he's played for are the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins.
Campbell is familiar with this passer, having spent two seasons with him with the Saints. If the Lions want an insurance plan behind Goff, Bridgewater is a solid option.
Carson Wentz
Wentz is a wild card. Not long ago, he was playing at an MVP level for the Philadelphia Eagles. A torn ACL derailed that 2017 campaign, and he hasn't been the same since.
When he flashed his upside, it wasn't hard to see the talent that made him the second overall pick in 2016. However, he's struggled mightily since his best year.
Most recently, he sputtered through an injury-riddled season with the Washington Commanders. He went 2-5 in seven starts.
Wentz may be the most flashy candidate still available in free agency. When he's playing well, he has the ability to lift a team to a win.
Yet, he hasn't shown that upside since leaving Philadelphia. If the Lions were to take a chance on him, they'd be hoping to get the best version of him in a pinch.
A.J. McCarron
After spending parts of eight NFL seasons with five teams, McCarron became the starter for the XFL's St. Louis Battlehawks in 2023.
He had a solid campaign, starting nine games and throwing for 2,150 yards. The Alabama product tossed 24 touchdowns, which led the XFL, against just six interceptions.
The veteran has played in 17 games, starting four. He holds a .500 record in those starts, including a 2-1 stretch with the Bengals in 2015.
He was 6-3 as St. Louis' starter in 2023. The Lions have shown interest in spring league players recently, signing Maurice Alexander in 2022.
John Wolford
Spending most of his career with the Los Angeles Rams, Wolford has made the most of his limited opportunities.
In four starts, he's 2-2. The veteran has familiarity with Goff, having shared a sideline with him for two seasons. The two won a playoff game together in Seattle during the 2020 season.
That year, Goff suffered an injury that prevented him from starting the regular season finale and playoff opener. Wolford started both, though he would be replaced by Goff in the playoff matchup with Seattle.
The Wake Forest product would bring familiarity with Detroit's incumbent starter. At 28, he's an experienced veteran who could also help to develop rookie Hendon Hooker.
Wolford is a restricted free agent, so the Rams would have the opportunity to match any offer made to him. However, they selected Stetson Bennett in the draft and may elect to move on.
