5 options for the Detroit Lions to add to their quarterback depth

4. Nick Foles

Foles, who was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Friday, would be a dictionary definition of someone who would know and accept a role as a backup. His shining career moment will always be that Super Bowl run in the 2017 playoffs with the Philadelphia Eagles, and he also went 4-1 starting in place of Carson Wentz in 2018. Since then, he is 3-11 as a starter.

Foles has been at his best when high-level offensive structure and game-planning coaxed the best out of him, and his raw talent (in particular arm strength) was once far better than Bridgewater’s

3. Mason Rudolph

Once faintly regarded as the potential successor to Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh, Rudolph moved down the depth chart over recent years and now he’s a free agent. He went 5-3 starting  in place of Roethlisberger as a rookie in 2019, but that they were willing to turn to Devlin “Duck” Hodges said something–and it wasn’t good.

Rudolph’s most recent start came against the Lions in 2021, when he went 30-for-50 for 242 yards with an interception along with 36 rushing yards in a 10-10 tie.

In theory, Rudolph has talent and upside that has not been realized and he’s still just 27 years old (28 in July). Among the available options, that might be enough to intrigue the Lions.