Contract Status of Detroit Lions' Quarterbacks in 2024
Time and time again in 2023, Jared Goff validated his status as the Detroit Lions’ starting quarterback. Subsequently, there is a strong likelihood that Brad Holmes and Detroit's front office will ink the veteran passer to a long-term extension this offseason.
If the two sides don't come to terms on a new deal, Goff will be a free agent at the end of the 2024 season.
While Goff is undeniably the team's starting quarterback headed into next season, there are question marks behind him on the Lions’ QB depth chart.
Teddy Bridgewater, last year's backup passer, has decided to retire, leaving Hendon Hooker as the only other signal-caller presently on Detroit's active roster.
Hooker, a rookie quarterback in 2023, didn't play a single down this past season, as he worked his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered during his final collegiate campaign at Tennessee. So, there's no guarantee that he's ready to serve as Goff's backup this upcoming season.
Without further ado, let's look at the contract situation of the quarterbacks that spent 2023 with the Lions.
The franchise passer is signed with the team through 2024, and carries with him a cap hit of $32,300,064 in 2024.
He has $5 million in guarantees remaining on his deal, a number which will become $10M if he is still on the Lions’ roster a month from now (March 15).
The veteran backup quarterback called it quits at the end of the 2023 season. Although that is the case, he does possess a voided year in his expiring contract, which will count $500,000 against the cap in 2024.
In case you were wondering, a voided year allows an NFL organization to allocate a player's prorated signing bonus money to a future year (a year that doesn't actually exist on the player's contract).
The rookie passer spent the majority of the season on injured reserve while rehabbing a torn ACL he suffered during his final collegiate season at Tennessee. Once he was activated, he served as the Lions’ emergency QB.
His rookie deal expires in 2026, and will cost $1,299,779 against the cap this upcoming season.
He also has just $869,469 in guarantees remaining on his contract.
The career backup didn't play a single snap in 2023. He spent the entirety of the season on injured reserve with a torn ACL, and is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
The 28-year-old quarterback spent the 2023 campaign on Detroit's practice squad. Because he was not on the Lions’ active roster to end the season, he is labeled a “street free agent” and is free to sign with any team immediately.
