Amidst making final cuts to their roster, the Detroit Lions have pulled off a trade for a rookie quarterback they just faced during their preseason finale.
During the Cleveland Browns preseason finale on Thursday night, undrafted rookie quarterback David Blough thought he was playing for his job. Blough was. It just wasn’t with Browns, but with the opposing team instead, the Detroit Lions.
On Friday, the Lions swapped seventh-round selections in 2022 with the Browns in exchange for the former Purdue Boilermaker quarterback. That’s according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Blough must have impressed the Lions Thursday night, although his stat-line read 11 of 17 for 115 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. But the 24-year old did post a couple solid performances in his previous preseason outings.
Against the Washington Redskins in Week One, Blough completed 4 of his 7 passes for 59 yards and a score. The rookie passer completed 58.3 percent of his passes for 74 yards and a touchdown versus the Indianapolis Colts. And in last week’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bough went 3 of 7 for 23 yards.
In college, Bough threw for 9,734 yards, 69 touchdowns, and 43 interceptions during his four-year career at Purdue. He also rushed for 13 scores. Bough was impressive at the East-West Shrine Game in January, completing 10 of his 15 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Yet, the 6-foot, 200-pound passer was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
It’s unclear whether David Blough will automatically make the Detroit Lions’ final roster or if his acquisition was simply insurance for other moves the team may still be attempting. Veteran passers Tom Savage and Josh Johnson figure to have the inside track on the primary backup position behind starter Matthew Stafford. But the trade for Blough could indicate the Lions are going to keep three quarterbacks on their regular-season roster, with the rookie developing behind Stafford and either Savage or Johnson.