Detroit Lions
Nate Sudfeld Re-Signs With The Detroit Lions
The Lions Start To Build The QB Room
Bringing back Nate Sudfeld was a smart move, but was it potentially a temporary move? Until we learn more about the contract details, we will do our best to speculate the moves’ purpose. Nate was able to soak up Ben Johnson’s offense as the only permanent backup the Lions had on the roster in 2022. Sudfeld joined the Lions in September of the 2022 season and stayed with the team until the new league year began.
Bringing Sudfeld back allows this Lions team to hit the ground running when training camp rolls around, giving the offense instant continuity. It would be an understatement to say just how important having a backup with experience in any offensive system is to a franchise. As the draft looms, we ask ourselves if this was a temporary move?
The Lions Still Need Depth Behind Sudfeld
Given the Lions current draft slots, and the projected QB draft rankings of the 2023 draft, we fully expect the Lions to draft a QB. Whether one slips to 6 that Holmes loves or falls to the last pick in the 6th round. The Lions are the hungriest team in the NFL to find a long-term backup QB solution. The Lions do not possess a 4th or 7th round pick in this year’s draft. Should the Lions find their two (2) impact players between pick 6 and pick 55. Hendon Hooker at #81 is the best option but also an option that will have to sit while he recovers from an ACL.
In my opinion, Hendon Hooker is the best QB in this draft class, had he not suffered the ACL injury. With Hendon needing to finish recovery, this keeps the pressure off Goff and allows Jared to operate as normal. Anytime a quarterback is brought in the starter undoubtedly goes through a period of uneasiness. I don’t feel that will be the case with Goff as Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell both have made sure to communicate to their starter well enough in advance of the draft plans.
With the available QB options in later rounds, it would not surprise us to see the Lions take two (2) quarterbacks during the draft or the 2nd option coming from the UDFA chaos. Sticking to Holmes statement, he promised to secure this position and plans to never have insecurity at backup QB again after what happened in 2022 with seven (7) backups coming through the Allen Park threshold.
If the Lions find their immediate solution in the 2023 draft, Sudfeld may slide down to the 3rd position on the depth chart. If the Lions find 2 backups, Sudfeld may not make it past the preseason cuts.
