Is Jared Goff’s backup even on the Lions roster?

Options will be available

If Jared Goff proves to not be the answer and the Lions season goes on a losing journey to the top pick in next April’s draft, then Brad Holmes will have the chance to choose Detroit’s quarterback of the future.

But that doesn’t mean the Lions can’t also take a flyer on another player with some talent this season given the opportunity.

Quite frankly, I have no problem with finding a young player with some upside to be Goff’s caddy this year. In some cases that just means a matter of playing the numbers game because options will be available.

There will be teams that carry two quarterbacks on their active roster and keep a third on the practice squad. If there is a suitable prospect on another team’s practice squad, then I would be willing to say goodbye to Boyle and Blough and go into the season with that right prospect learning the playbook on Detroit’s active roster.

Players like Will Grier of the Panthers, Sam Ehlinger of the Colts, Kyle Trask of Tampa Bay, Easton Stick of the Chargers, or even Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins of the Steelers all look to be either on the outside looking in or at the least the third quarterback on their respective team.

If any of those teams carry only two active quarterbacks, that leaves one the outside they will try to stash on the practice squad. I would have no problem with giving any of those players an opportunity to be Goff’s backup.

The backup quarterback position has been so uninspiring in Detroit that taking a flyer on younger talent would be worth it. Especially in a season the Lions aren’t expecting to contend for anything because there is pretty much no risk involved.

This also wouldn’t affect selecting a quarterback at the top of the draft next year if that is on the agenda of the Lions’ new regime.

Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell expect to turn the Lions into contenders. Until they get there, this is the right time to experiment a little and see if they can upgrade the quality of talent at one of the most important positions on the field. The opportunity should be there, this regime just has to be willing to take a low risk to address what has been traditionally the most ignored position on this franchise.