3 quarterbacks the Detroit Lions need to consider bringing in next season
By Bob Heyrman
It’s never too early for the Detroit Lions to look ahead. The fans are used to this organization being a complete mess, and that’s the case again in 2021.
Looking ahead is always intriguing, especially when it comes to the Detroit Lions. For years the offseason is essentially the Super Bowl for Lions fans. For the Lions, free agency and the NFL Draft is a time to build hope within the fanbase.
The Detroit Lions are positioned to secure the first overall pick for the 2022 NFL Draft, and it figures that the quarterback-needed franchise won’t likely select its next franchise quarterback. It’s so Lions to have the first overall choice but no franchise-caliber quarterback such as Trevor Lawrence available for the picking. The good news, the Lions need help throughout their roster and will have their choice of two elite pass-rushers; Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson or Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Detroit will also have a first-round pick in the 20s they acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Matthew Stafford. Oddly enough, the 8-4 Rams can’t seem to win the ‘Big game’ or in prime time that Stafford so badly wanted to compete in. That second first-round pick seemingly improves each week.
This offseason, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes needs to bring in a bridge quarterback to compete with Jared Goff.
I know what you are thinking; why bring in another bridge-quarterback, aka below-average signal-caller, to complete with Jared Goff next season.
Well, that’s just how bad Goff has been in 2021. I thought Goff would be able to serve as a capable placeholder for two years before his dead cap number significantly decreases and the organization opts to release him.
Goff’s dead cap number this season sits at $41 million; next season, it moves to $30.5 million. In 2023 that number falls to $10 million and $5 million in 2024. Goff is so bad the Lions will surely cut ties in 2023 without batting an eye, but $41 and $30.5 million is just too much to stomach, especially when the alternative is Tim Boyle or David Blough.
Here are three quarterbacks to add this summer to compete with Goff next season.
Honorable mention: Ryan Fitzpatrick (39-years old), Andy Dalton (no thanks), Nick Foles (no thanks), Mitchell Trubisky (ugh no), Cam Newton (nah), Jameis Winston (I expect to re-sign in New Orleans), Teddy Bridgewater (likely stays in Denver).