Detroit Lions: Three trade targets to backup Matthew Stafford

The Lions are simply looking for insurance behind Stafford, not a long-term solution at the position.

A solid backup quarterback needs to be capable enough to keep their team competitive if the starter goes down with an injury. Their current stable of backups may not be up to the task, as both Cassel and Rudock have not impressed this preseason.

If the Lions need to upgrade, Bridgewater, Glennon, and Lynch are all possibilities. Each player appears to be expendable to their current team, whether it be a crowded competition in the case of Bridgewater, or they tumbled down the depth chart in the case of Glennon and Lynch.

Most likely, a trade for any of the aforementioned quarterbacks would require the return of a late-round pick and possibly a back-end roster player. Bridgewater is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. It appears that Bridgewater has the most upside and ability, and the Lions are not the only team that could be interested in his services.

Glennon’s contract is more than affordable. He is not a flashy choice but showed in his time with the Bucs that he is able to perform when called upon.

Lynch is a failed experiment on a rookie deal. He is a long-shot. Though his pre-draft stock was high, he is injury-prone and has twice been demoted and outperformed by seventh-round draft picks. Change of scenery or not, he is not the answer for the Lions.