5 quarterbacks the Detroit Lions could sign to bolster their depth chart

2. A.J. McCarron

McCarron has gotten a fresh lease on quarterbacking life in spring football with the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL (2023) and the UFL (2024). He had 39 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 103.6 passer rating over those two spring campaigns. In between, he was back with the Cincinnati Bengals last season, appearing in two games.

An ankle injury during the Battlehawks' season, and subsequent surgery, brought questions about McCarron wanting to keep playing. But he would surely take an NFL opportunity if one came, and if nothing else he could end up sticking with the Lions as their No. 3 quarterback over Sudfeld.

1. Ryan Tannehill

Tannehill clearly sits atop any list of available quarterback options now, and the idea of him being on the Lions' radar is not new. He most recently acknowledged it would have to be the right situation for him to sign somewhere, and the Lions could be one (contending team, coaches he has a little history with). However, there are other teams out there who can better assure him of being the No. 2 quarterback. With that said, the Lions have to be leery of just going with Hooker once he's healthy after he misses practice reps this week.

At 36 years old with an eroding quality of play over the last few years, Tannehill's days as a clear-cut NFL starting quarterback are over. But he has 151 regular season starts on his resume, with five playoff starts in his career (including an AFC Championship game). Any team who's eyeing a backup quarterback upgrade should have him on their radar.

If they know they won't promise him the spot primarily backing up Goff, as they wait for Hooker to get healthy, the Lions may not even bother to call Tannehill. But in the interest of not going with a half-measure to address the backup quarterback issue with Hooker missing the practice time he will, Tannehill has to be on this list.