David Blough signs with division rival instead of going back to Lions

The Detroit Lions apparently wanted David Blough back on their practice squad, but he has signed with a division rival instead.

The Detroit Lions reshaped their backup quarteback mix at final roster cuts, cutting Tim Boyle and waiving David Blough. Waiving Blough was the move made to make room for new backup Nate Sudfeld on the roster.

The Lions didn’t immediately fill all 16 spots on their practice squad, which left the door open for Blough if he cleared waivers. There were indications the team wanted him back if it was possible.

Blough indeed cleared waivers on Thursday. But he’s not coming back to the Lions. As reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Blough will sign with Minnesota Vikings and will be on their practice squad.

Similarly to the Lions, the Vikings turned over their quarterback depth chart behind their starter at or near the final cutdown to 53 players. They acquired Nick Mullens from the Las Vegas Raiders in trade, then waived both Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion.

David Blough moves on to Lions’ division rival

There was a case for the Lions to just keep Blough as Jared Goff’s backup, if only for lack of better available options and due to his familiarity with the offense. But Sudfeld does bring experience in multiple different offensive systems with him, which can add value.

If Blough didn’t have any other options after clearing waivers, he probably would have just come back to the Lions on their practice squad. The Vikings may well have been his only other option, and quite simply he took it rather than come back to a team that let him go and hoped to get him back. No one would blame him for being hesitant to return to the Lions under that circumstance, and the ultimately lateral move to a division rival’s practice squad seems to say a lot.

Losing Blough will not be a big deal for the Lions. But it’s mildly interesting, as much as practice squad maneuvers can be interesting, that he is now with a division rival.