3 potential options to fix the Detroit Lions lurking quarterback problem
It's a common refrain around the NFL that there just aren't enough good quarterbacks to go around. Plenty of teams would be glad to be in the Detroit Lions' position, with Jared Goff as the starter and the potential of Hendon Hooker behind him. Hooker could be a tradeable asset at some point.
But it's clear, and expected, that Hooker is not just being anointed as the Lions' No. 2 quarterback. Nate Sudfeld is apparently on equal footing in a competition as training camp gets going. If Hooker can't separate himself from a veteran with 37 career regular season pass attempts over the course of camp and the preseason, the Lions will have a notable problem.
If Hooker doesn't win the job, the Lions may be content to have Sudfeld as Goff's primary backup. But a dose of reality says that's not a good plan, and any games Sudfeld had to start if Goff was out would easily be marked as losses in Tim Boyle, circa 2021 fashion.
A team with legit Super Bowl aspirations can't let their season go up in smoke if Goff goes down, and due to not emphasizing the No. 2 quarterback spot like general manager Brad Holmes said 18 months ago. Two offseasons of evidence have stretched the definition of "emphasis."
Unless a significant injury forces their hand, it feels unlikely the Lions will look outside the organization for a backup quarterback option. But it also wouldn't be surprising if they're maintaining some awareness of who is or might be available. Sudfeld can only be talked up so much with such a limited resume of meaningful action, and if Hooker isn't ready to play if called upon that'll just be something to deal with.
All of that said, these three quarterbacks could help the Lions with their backup quarterback problem, such as they think they have one or that it may not get better.