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Detroit Lions: Solving the never-ending backup quarterback problem

By Brenden Armour

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 10: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to the NFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks at TCFBank Stadium on January 10, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 10: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to the NFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks at TCFBank Stadium on January 10, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

There are quite a few quarterbacks going to be on the market in free agency this year that have seen time as a starter in the past. There are quality options available for the Lions to pursue.

Five unrestricted free agents the Lions could pursue:

Josh McCown- McCown is a well-known quarterback in the NFL. He has floated around from team to team throughout his career, having been on eight different rosters, including the Lions’ roster way back in 2006.

While his play on the field is just OK, he is a very bright football mind that could help develop a quarterback taken in the draft and help quarterback Matthew Stafford greatly when preparing for games and making adjustments on the sidelines. While it will be difficult to pry him away from New York this offseason, the Lions should at least contact him and try to lure him to Motor City.

Teddy Bridgewater- Signing Bridgewater this offseason is probably not going to happen. However, if the Lions wanted to spend a little extra for a guy that could keep the team afloat for a few games should Stafford get hurt, Bridgewater is probably the best guy to have behind Stafford on the depth chart from this free agent quarterback class.

Before his injury, in his last full season, Bridgewater led the Minnesota Vikings to an 11-5 record while completing 65.3% of his passes, throwing for 3,231 yards, 14 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Bridgewater could keep Detroit’s season alive if Stafford got hurt.

Ryan Fitzpatrick– Fitzpatrick has proven over the years that he can start and provide good results in a pinch. This season, when playing, Fitzpatrick has thrown for 2,366 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

While he wouldn’t be perfect, his track record proves he could help the Leos out if Stafford were to ever go down during a game. His years of experience in the league would also provide a good addition to film studies and sideline adjustments.

Brock Osweiler- Osweiler did a decent job of keeping the Miami Dolphins in games when he was the quarterback this year. He didn’t make too many mistakes and he was able to come up with some clutch moments. He isn’t the ideal candidate to be the backup, but he could provide a solid, steady baseline that the Lions could rely upon in an emergency.

Trevor Siemian– Siemian was the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos in 2016 and 2017. In his time there as the starting quarterback he went 13-11 while throwing for 5,686 yards, 30 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.

In 2016, while starting for the majority of the year until an injury sidelined him, he carried the Broncos to an 8-6 record and was in the heat of the playoff hunt. Siemian would provide Detroit with a tested veteran that has played in high leverage situations, and can handle the heat. While he wouldn’t be the best backup, he’d be a great improvement for the Lions.

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