After the 2022 season, here's what Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes said about addressing the team's backup quarterback situation during an appearance on 97.1 The Ticket (h/t to SI.com).
"Going into this past year, yeah, we went down to the umpteenth hour trying to figure out what we were gonna do at number two (quarterback),” Holmes said. “I’ve let it be known internally that we’re not gonna be in that position again heading into this year, so we have to get that settled. I thought Nate Sudfeld did a nice job with us, so we’ll figure that out."
He added, "But, I am gonna make it a point of emphasis and make sure that, being that we’re finally in a position to address that quarterback room behind Jared, we have been in that position in the past. But, we’re gonna make that a point of emphasis this year.”
Suffice to say, the definition of "emphasis" on the No. 2 quarterback spot has been stretched. 2023 third-round pick Hendon Hooker joined Nate Sudfeld behind Jared Goff, then Teddy Bridgewater was eventually signed. Last year, Hooker won the backup job almost by default.
Late last season, the Lions brought Bridgewater back after he coached his high school alma mater to a state title in Florida. Then he was elevated over Hooker as the No. 2 quarterback for the playoff game against the Washington Commanders.
The Lions have tried to tell the world how they feel about Hooker, crushing any trade value he might have had along the way. This offseason they signed Kyle Allen to give him competition. Reviews of both from OTAs were not great, so it'll be an open competition in training camp. Having a fourth preseason game, due to playing in the Hall of Fame Game, should help sort things out.
Lions have an ideal possible trade target to correct backup QB issue
Goff has not missed a game since the 2021 season, and the playoff loss to Washington the only time in memory he exited a game due to an injury over the last three seasons. So who the Lions' No. 2 quarterback is has been a moot point, and it may remain that way until there's a plan in place to replace Goff.
That said, the Lions can't let a season of their Super Bowl window go up in proverbial smoke because Goff got injured and the depth chart behind him has not been properly emphasized. Allen has starting experience that Hooker doesn't (19 career starts), but he reeks of Tim Boyle cira-2021 when Goff missed time.
Chris Schad of Detroit Jock City has uncovered a potential trade target for the Lions to rectify their backup quarterback issue: Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell.
"Detroit shouldn’t be looking for upside with the backup quarterback position. But they’ll need someone to keep the house from burning down if Goff suffers a season-altering or season-ending injury. With that in mind, they might be looking for a backup quarterback toward the end of training camp, and should consider Aidan O’Connell."
O'Connell was a fourth-round pick (No. 135 overall) by the Raiders in the 2023 draft out of Purdue. He has started 19 games over the last two seasons, with 20 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 85.1 passer rating. It's also fair to say the Raiders didn't surround him with much talent, but he has had some flashes of good play.
At one point this offseason O'Connell was an easy candidate to be traded, but now it seems certain the Raiders will keep him as Geno Smith's backup. If rookie sixth-round pick Cam Miller impresses during camp and the preseason, maybe that tune changes.
If the Lions have made a late-preseason pivot to a different backup quarterback before, and if the competition between Allen and Hooker isn't going well it could happen again. Among the possibilities to trade for if it comes to that, O'Connell sits prominently as someone they are likely aware of and should be keeping an eye on.
