Detroit Lions re-sign backup quarterback Tim Boyle to one-year deal
The Detroit Lions have re-signed another player, with a one-year deal for quarterback Tim Boyle.
The Detroit Lions have been busy re-signing their own ahead of the legal tampering period for free agency that starts Monday. As first reported by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Lions have agreed to a one-year deal with quarterback Tim Boyle.
The deal is reportedly worth $2 million, with $1.75 million guaranteed and $500,000 in incentives. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press confirmed, as could’ve been expected, the incentives are attached to playing time.
After starting his career with the Green Bay Packers, Boyle signed a one-year deal with the Lions last offseason. He started the season on IR after a thumb injury late in the preseason, but he eventually saw the most substantial action of his career, starting three game in place of Jared Goff.
In those three starts, Boyle threw for 526 yards with three touchdowns, six interceptions, a 64.9 percent completion rate and a 63.5 passer rating. A rough first start (15-for-23 77 yards with two interceptions against the Cleveland Browns in Week 11) can be chalked up to not being totally healthy. But with even marginally better quarterback play, the Lions could’ve been 2-1 in his three starts rather than 0-3.
The Lions’ coaching staff likes Tim Boyle
Right after the season, Boyle expressed his desire to re-sign with the Lions. The coaching staff was generally complementary of his work, including now-former offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn (via Justin Rogers of The Detroit News).
"A lot of things that Tim does doesn’t show up in the stat column,” former offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said in January. “He makes everyone around him better. … His arm talent has always been there. His accuracy was good at times. Yeah, he threw some interceptions, (that’s) lack of experience. The more this young man plays, the better he’s going to get. We’re fortunate to have him right now as our backup because if something happens to Jared, we know this guy can step in and he can play. And, yeah, he made some mistakes, but this is a type of player that learns from his mistakes and he gets better.”"
Intangibles, perception of arm talent etc. aside, ideally Boyle won’t have to start games again during the 2022 season. Goff has not generally been injury-prone, and one of the games he missed last season was after testing positive for COVID-19.
After carrying three quarterbacks on the roster last season, the Lions have secured two places on the depth chart for next season with No. 3 quarterback (and restricted free agent) David Blough looking unlikely to be back. So a quarterback is still firmly in play early in April’s draft, most likely with one of their first three picks (No. 2, No. 32 and No. 34).
Trending. 5 best free agent signings in Detroit Lions history. light
Want your voice heard? Join the SideLion Report team!