Detroit Lions waive quarterback Steven Montez

The Detroit Lions have made another roster move as rookie minicamp approaches, waiving quarterback Steven Montez.

To start paving the way for signing their undrafted free agents with rookie minicamp starting on Friday, the Detroit Lions waived five players on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning they made another move to trim the roster down, waiving quarterback Steven Montez.

Montez went undrafted in 2020 after being a three-year starter at Colorado. He spent his rookie season on Washington’s practice squad, and he landed with the Lions after being among Washington’s final cuts in 2021.

Montez spent last season strictly on the Lions’ practice squad, serving as scout team quarterback. After his first career start against the Cleveland Browns last year, when Jared Goff was sidelined by an injury, Tim Boyle was sure to credit Montez. It might not be the only story of Montez’s behind the scenes contribution last season.

"Leading up to the game last night, had a great session with our practice squad quarterback Steven Montez,” “We went through every single call on the call sheet. I felt really good about the plan.”"

The Lions brought Montez back on a reserve/futures deal earlier this offseason.

Steven Montez could be back on the Lions’ roster in time

It’s worth noting the Lions will have undrafted free agent rookie quarterback Connor Sampson at rookie minicamp this weekend. He may impress enough to stick around as the No. 4 quarterback, and if he doesn’t Montez might be back on the roster in time for the start of full offseason work in two weeks.

Counting the rookie class of draft picks, the Lions are now down to 80 players with the reported 12 undrafted free agents still to officially sign.

With the move to waive Montez, the Lions have Goff, Boyle and David Blough as the three quarterbacks on their roster.