ESPN names the Lions as the best fit for veteran free agent QB
The Detroit Lions currently have four quarterbacks on their roster. Jared Goff will be the Lions' starter in 2023 with Nate Sudfeld and Hendon Hooker taking up the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, respectively, on the depth chart. Undrafted free agent Adrian Martinez is a candidate for the practice squad this fall. Despite the […]
The Detroit Lions currently have four quarterbacks on their roster.
Jared Goff will be the Lions' starter in 2023 with Nate Sudfeld and Hendon Hooker taking up the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, respectively, on the depth chart.
Undrafted free agent Adrian Martinez is a candidate for the practice squad this fall.
Despite the presence of four quarterbacks on the roster, Detroit was named this week by ESPN as the best landing spot for veteran free-agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
From ESPN: I see a void behind Jared Goff in Detroit, which should add a proven, veteran signal-caller. Bridgewater can be a high-level No. 2 and fit the Lions' play-action heavy pass game. He's a rhythm thrower with the movement skills to get on the edges in this offense's boot schemes, too.
Adding Bridgewater would also give third-round draft pick Hendon Hooker more time to recover from an ACL injury while acclimating to a pro passing offense. Bridgewater can still play; in 16 starts over the past two seasons, he has completed 66.1% of his passes while throwing 22 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.
This might not be a bad idea for the Lions. But the way ESPN laid it out doesn't necessarily make sense for Detroit.
If the Lions sign Bridgewater and keep Sudfeld, it would mean that Hooker would have to go on IR or the PUP list. Which would mean that Hooker wouldn't be able to practice. If the main goal for Hooker in 2023 is to develop, then the Lions need him to practice.
The only way this works for Detroit is if they release Sudfeld and keep Hooker on the active roster as the No. 3 quarterback. That could put the Lions in a bind if they need a No. 3 quarterback early in the season (before Hooker is ready to return from his torn ACL), but if Detroit ends up in a situation where they need to start their No. 3 quarterback, they're probably in a tough spot already. And they could sign someone off a practice squad at that point.
I don't hate the idea of adding Bridgewater to the roster — he's a high-level backup that could prove to be very valuable. But the Lions ultimately have to decide how to handle Hooker's situation (IR vs active roster) before they can make any additional quarterback moves this summer.
Featured image via Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
