Lost in the whirlwind of the NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions have a new quarterback. No, it's not Ty Simpson, or Carson Beck, or Taylen Green, or Garrett Nussmeier. It's not even Haynes King, whom they were previously linked to.
Introducing former Illinois Illini Luke Altmyer, who signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent after the conclusion of the draft.
Altmyer's college career didn't begin at Illinois. A former four-star recruit from Mississippi, Altmyer committed to Ole Miss in 2020 after decommitting from Florida State, while also having offers from Alabama and LSU.
In two seasons, Altmyer only played nine games, backing up Matt Corral and later Jaxson Dart. Altmyer won his lone start at the beginning of the 2022 season against Central Arkansas in a 59-3 blowout, where he completed 6 of his 13 passes for 90 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. He also added a rushing TD.
Despite the win, Altmyer would lose his starting job to Dart, effectively ending his time at Ole Miss. Altmyer transferred to Illinois in the offseason, where he won the starting job. Altmyer led the Illini to a 4-5 record in his first season before missing the final three games after suffering a concussion. Altmyer ended the season throwing for 1,883 passing yards with 13 TDs to 10 INTs. He rushed for a career-high 282 yards along with three rushing TDs.
Altmyer rebounded strongly in 2024, leading the Illini to a 10-3 record and a Citrus Bowl win over then #15-ranked South Carolina. It was the Illini's first bowl win since 2011 and overall their first 10-win season since 2001. Altmyer threw for 2,717 yards with an impressive 22 TDs to just 6 INTs.
In his final season, Altmyer would repeat his 22 TD performance, but this time with just 5 INTs. The newly minted team captain saw his passing yards increase once again to 3,007, marking just the ninth 3,000-yard passing season for an Illini QB. Illinois would go on to win the Music City Bowl against Tennessee, making him just the second QB in school history to start two bowl victories after a bowl game MVP performance.
Altmyer finished his Illinois career second in TD passes (57), fifth in passing yards (7,607), second in wins (23), first in passer rating (144.31), and first in completion percentage (64.36%).
Entering the 2026 Draft, Altmyer was seen as a potential Day 3 sleeper. Luckily for the Lions, they were able to snag some late-draft additions on defense with their picks while also bringing in Altmyer to develop.
Altmyer will have his chance to become QB2
The Lions entered the 2026 Draft in need of a developmental QB after the release of former third-round pick Hendon Hooker, who recently joined his third team since his release less than a year ago.
Currently, the Lions have just one backup behind Jared Goff in Teddy Bridgewater. This is Bridgewater's third stint with the Lions after spending time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and coaching high school football in Florida, where he led his squad to a state championship.
READ MORE: Lions don't have to settle for Teddy Bridgewater as Jared Goff's backup
Bridgewater isn't the most exciting backup option, and the Lions will very likely find themselves back in the veteran backup well after 2026. That's why it's important to develop a guy like Altmyer. Altmyer should not be expected to be an eventual starter as an UDFA, but he can bring much-needed stability to the QB2 role. Give the Lions one less thing to worry about going forward.
Altmyer is in a great position to do just that, sitting behind a five-time Pro Bowler and another former Pro Bowler who has some coaching experience. Sure, Hooker had the same opportunity, and it didn't work out. It might not work out here either, but if Altmyer is going to pave out a lengthy NFL career, there are few better places to begin that journey than Detroit.
Add us as a preferred source on Google