Here's how this happened. My friend and former boss Jeremy Reisman recently wrote a story about the potential of the Detroit Lions bringing back Nate Sudfeld to be the Lions third quarterback. This got me thinking about some other options for the Lions in this position.

Of course we're looking for a guy that's going to more than likely be the practice squad guy. But there's more to the job than that. This guy can take on that David Blough and/or Teddy Bridgewater role and be something of a player coach to Hendon Hooker and also work with the younger receivers. Here's three options that are currently available:

AJ McCarron

The reigning, and now defending, UFL MVP would be a perfect option for the Lions. There’s a reason that the Bengals brought him back in 2023 and there’s a reason why he keeps getting work in the NFL. Much like David Blough or Dan Orlvosky, he processes the game in a deeper way, but doesn’t have that top tier ability that would make him a starter. 

St. Louis Battlehawks head coach Anthony Brecht recently raved about how McCaron's leadership and how "he's helping every single player on this team." That's the kind of guy the Lions could use in this role.

Matt Barkley

Another guy that’s been in the NFL for quite some time now. Barkley was drafted in 2013 and still continues to get work around the league. The Bills liked him so much that they brought him back for a fourth season in 2022. He might have stayed longer if he hadn’t got hurt and let go with an injury settlement. 

Barkley has worked with some of the leagues best quarterbacks and they all have good things to say about those experiences. 

Josh Johnson

There’s a reason why Johnson has played for 16 NFL teams and some of them up to three different times. He’s been with the Ravens three times including last season. He was even with the Lions at one point too back in 2019. 

The reason is because the guy just gets the playbook wherever he goes. He might not have the ability to go out there and execute to it's highest point, but he knows it and he can probably help teach it. That's why he's 37-years-old and keeps getting signed. 

Just Say No 2.0: 4 more free agents for the Lions to avoid

It's time to Just Say No again. Last week started the series with our 1.0 article, this week we're back with four more free agents the Lions need to stay away from when free agency opens up soon.  If you're not familiar with the series, here's how it works. We look around social media and […]