The Detroit Lions are still unsettled at the backup quarterback spot, and it's shining a light on last year's backup, Kyle Allen.
Allen, now back with the Buffalo Bills, has turned in a great preseason thus far. In his first outing against the Carolina Panthers, Allen went 14/16 for 108 passing yards. Allen followed it up with a 10/12 performance against the Cleveland Browns, with 128 passing yards and a passing touchdown.
That's an 85.71% completion percentage in two preseason games.
By comparison, Lions' Joshua Dobbs is currently at 55% (11/20), while undrafted free agent rookie Luke Altmyer is at 62.86% (22/35). Allen's passing yards (236) also surpasses Dobbs' (106) and Altmyer's (216), despite his pass attempts being smack dab in the middle of Dobbs and Altmyer.
It's definitely true that it's the preseason and Allen's percentage numbers aren't sustainable. Altmyer's 62.86% is much closer to the norm for a QB in the regular season than Allen's 85.71%, as Allen's number would easily clear Drew Brees' NFL record of 74.4% set in 2018. Yet, it highlights the uneasiness at the Lions' QB position behind Jared Goff entering the season.
Dobbs and Altmyer continue to battle for QB2
It does take two to tango. Even if we assume the Lions wanted Allen back, Allen may have simply wanted to reunite with his fellow Allen, Josh Allen, in Buffalo. It happens. The Lions wound up bringing back Teddy Bridgewater for another go, and signing Altmyer as an UDFA.
With Bridgewater now retired, and Dobbs back in the fold, it's anyone's guess who will backup Goff -- and that's a scary thought. If Pro Football Focus grades are your thing, Altmyer has the 2-0 edge over Dobbs, grading at 64.5 and 73.2 in each of his games to Dobbs' 51.0 and 52.0. If the Lions see things the same way as PFF, then Altmyer is firmly in the driver's seat in this QB2 race.
Both QBs have had their cause for concerns, too. Each have endured their turnovers, with Altmyer throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble against the Cincinnati Bengals, while Dobbs threw an INT and lost a fumble on an Amik Robertson sack that went for a touchdown.
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Dobbs has had the advantage in the run game, thanks to a 50-yard TD rush, but Altmyer has led more TD drives along with a two-point conversion rush of his own. Dobbs has also only been sacked twice, while Altmyer has been sacked five times, including four times against the Washington Commanders. That could be due to shaky offensive line depth, but avoiding sacks is an area where Dobbs' experience can be an asset.
Allen may not have been the perfect backup choice. Around this time last year, he was struggling in the preseason as well before turning a corner toward the end. Dobbs and Altmyer can finish strongly, too. But with the uncertainty at the QB2 position, it's been easy to check in on Allen and wish he remained with the Lions as Altmyer develops.
The 2026 Lions would likely be doomed if Goff goes down with injury, anyway. In fact, a QB not named Goff or Matthew Stafford hasn't won a game for the Lions since January 2011 (Shaun Hill). It's a matter of peace of mind, and right now, Allen would have provide the most of that based on this preseason so far.
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