3 worst moves the Detroit Lions have made this offseason

1. Failing to backup the backup quarterback talk

Right after last season, via SI.com, here’s what Lions general manager Brad Holmes said about the spot on the depth chart behind Jared Goff.

"Going into this past year, yeah, we went down to the umpteenth hour trying to figure out what we were gonna do at number two,” Holmes said. “I’ve let it be known internally that we’re not gonna be in that position again heading into this year, so we have to get that settled. I thought Nate Sudfeld did a nice job with us, so we’ll figure that out. But, I am gonna make it a point of emphasis and make sure that, being that we’re finally in a position to address that quarterback room behind Jared, we have been in that position in the past. But, we’re gonna make that a point of emphasis this year.”"

So much for a “point of emphasis” on the No. 2 quarterback spot. Nate Sudfeld was re-signed, and third-round rookie Hendon Hooker is headed for what head coach Dan Campbell called a “redshirt year” as he works his way back from a torn ACL.

A “strong contract offer” was reportedly made to Teddy Bridgewater, which is something and it’s not the Lions fault Bridgewater is overestimating his value and ability. But that’s the only effort that’s been clearly out there showing a priority to who will be Goff’s backup.

It’s hard to criticize Holmes for most of what he’s done as Lions’ general manager. But his talk about making the No. 2 quarterback spot a point of emphasis, practically at the outset of the offseason, rang hollow with what he actually got done. “Bridgewater or bust” to add a credible backup was not a good plan either, if that was the plan.

As the current depth chart looks, and with the plan for Hooker, a promising 2023 season for the Lions will go up in flames if Goff is injured and misses games. Holmes sounded like he would not let that happen by maintaining the status quo, but he has opened up the possibility unless he makes a move to actually upgrade the backup quarterback spot.