Detroit Lions: David Blough is not the answer at backup quarterback

Despite numerous opportunities, David Blough has not done enough to lock up the Detroit Lions’ backup quarterback job next season.

It’s often said that if your backup quarterback gets a significant amount of playing time in a regular season, something went very wrong. The Detroit Lions have undergone that experience multi-fold in 2019.

Rookie quarterback David Blough wasn’t even on the Lions’ roster until the eve of the regular season but was forced into action after both of the signal-callers ahead of him, starter Matthew Stafford and second-stringer Jeff Driskel, were lost for the season. The stage was set for Blough to make his NFL debut on Thanksgiving Day. Hands up if you predicted that situation before the season.

In that outing, after Blough’s first NFL completion went for a 75-yard touchdown to wideout Kenny Golladay, one couldn’t help but be intrigued. Does he have some serious potential? Could he actually solve the Lions seemingly endless pursuit of a steady backup passer?

Since that play, Blough has completed just 57 percent of his passes with two touchdowns, five interceptions, and zero wins. The Lions’ late-season parade to injured reserve, particularly with respect to their offensive playmakers, has not helped his cause. Blough also deserves credit for making do after being dropped into a difficult situation despite limited first-team reps in practice all season.

Still, his accuracy, arm strength, and pocket awareness leave much to be desired and offer reasons for why Blough went undrafted out of Purdue this past April. Aside from a large portion of the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Chicago Bears, the Lions simply haven’t been in a position to win any of the games that Blough has started.

Backup quarterbacks – particularly third-stringers –  can’t be expected to single-handedly win ball games. But they need to keep their team in contests and have to avoid crippling mistakes. Blough has come up short on both fronts.

With Blough expected to start the season’s final two games, the Lions will have the rare benefit at the end of the year of having an extensive collection of tape with which to conduct a thorough evaluation of a backup passer. However, they are likely to come to the conclusion that the position still requires an upgrade.

Could it be Driskel again? Do the Lions value his change of pace style and running ability enough to give him another shot? Come April, will they draft a quarterback higher than the fifth round for the first time since 2007? Do they shell out significant dollars for a proven veteran free agent?

Assuming a return to full health next year, the hope is for Stafford to pick up where he left off before suffering a season-ending back injury in Week 9. He was in the midst of a banner season and was threatening to approach career-highs in several statistical categories. Another season under offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell could send Stafford and the Lions’ offense into the stratosphere.

One thing is for sure – if the Lions are forced to turn to a backup quarterback again for more than spot duty in 2020, it would have to be a more accomplished or talented option for them to have any chance of remaining competitive.

Who do you think should be the Detroit Lions’ backup quarterback in 2020? Let us know in the comments section below.