Detroit Lions position battles and roster breakdown: Quarterback

By Zac Snyder | Jun 2, 2017

Oct 28, 2015; Chandler's Cross, United Kingdom; (Editors Note: caption correction) Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter (center) and quarterbacks Matthew Stafford (9) and Dan Orvlosky (8) during practice at The Grove in preparation of the NFL International Series game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Aug 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky (8) throws during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Who is gone

As one would expect with a returning starting quarterback, there is little in the way of turnover to the Lions’ quarterback group for 2017. That being said, there is one familiar name who will not be back: Dan Orlovsky.

Originally a fifth round pick by the Lions in the 2005 NFL Draft, Orlovsky put together a decent career for himself. He made just 12 total starts during his career, but Orlovsky was the kind of veteran backup that can be so valuable to a team like the Lions that has a firmly entrenched starting quarterback.

Orlovsky’s contributions in the meeting room will be missed, and the dynamic of the quarterback room will change as 2017 will be the first time in his career that Matthew Stafford will be the oldest quarterback on the roster.

Stafford is a veteran now in his own right, and there has been nothing to suggest he isn’t able to prepare without the help of another veteran quarterback, but he’s never been the old man of the group before. He will be now, even though he won’t turn 30-years old until next February.

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