Lions Advised to Add ‘Electric’ Quarterback to Compete for No. 2 Spot

The Detroit Lions found a new franchise quarterback in 2021, landing Jared Goff in a mega trade with the Los Angeles Rams and watching him blossom into a top 10 signal-caller in the NFL.

Finding a consistent backup has not been so easy, but the competition to back up Goff could get a bit more competition this summer.

An insider suggested the Lions could target the reigning MVP of the upstart UFL, a local star who earned praise for his “electric” game.

Lions Urged to Add Quarterback Competition This Summer

Christian Booher of USA Today’s Lions Wire suggested the team could look to sign Michigan Panthers quarterback Bryce Perkins, who has led his team to the league’s title game after earning MVP honors.

Booher noted that the Lions have 2023 third-round pick Hendon Hooker and veteran Kyle Allen competing for the No. 2 spot, but could add Perkins to increase the level of competition.

“Perkins has been electric for the Panthers as a dual-threat signal-caller, throwing for 1,342 yards and nine touchdowns while also throwing for 301 yards and five scores,” Booher wrote.

“The 28-year-old has had a taste of the NFL in the past, having signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent while Lions GM Brad Holmes was a member of the Rams’ front office. He appeared in five games with one start with the Rams, all during the 2022 season.”

As Booher noted, Perkins is eager to get another shot in the NFL, and standouts from the UFL regularly sign with NFL teams once their season ends.

“I definitely want to get another shot. I think everything, from leaving the NFL to coming here, was necessary for my growth as a player,” Perkins said. “I’ve worked hard to be here, and would love another shot. I also understand how things go sometimes. But right now, definitely want to win a championship. I tell everybody, ‘No matter what goals you have, personal goals, winning solves everything. So win a championship and let the chips fall where they fall.’ “

Lions Want Hendon Hooker to Win the Job

Though many saw Hooker as a potential successor to Goff when he was first drafted in 2023, the cards haven’t fallen that way. Goff turned in a career-best season and has led the Lions to back-to-back division titles since then, earning himself a four-year contract extension last year while putting to rest any talk that Hooker could win out the starting job.

Hooker has also dealt with injuries and inconsistency, losing his backup spot to veteran Teddy Bridgewater late last season when the veteran quarterback came out of retirement to sign with Detroit.

Liosn general manager Brad Holmes said the team remains high on Hooker’s abilities, but said he won’t be handed the backup job this summer.

“I mean, look, we like Hendon,” Holmes said, via USA Today’s Lions Wire. “He had the injury that first year, then last year that was the first year that he kind of was able to do a full year of training camp and during the season. And then we brought Teddy Bridgewater in just because we were gearing up for the playoffs and postseason and he just wasn’t ready yet, you know? And he understood that.”