The Detroit Lions are among the lucky ones in the NFL in that they know exactly who their QB1 is, and because that player, Jared Goff, has not missed a regular season contest in four years.
But odds say that eventually the Lions will need a reliable backup quarterback, at least for a game or two, and it is unclear if the team has that in Joshua Dobbs.
Detroit wasted little time bringing Dobbs into the fold after former QB2 Teddy Bridgewater informed the team of his decision to retire earlier this month. However, Dobbs hasn't necessarily proven himself to be a home-run alternative in the interim.
In fact, Austin Stanley of A to Z Sports reported on Wednesday, August 19, that Luke Altmyer appears to have already taken over the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
"When I was there on Wednesday, I would say Altmyer got about 96% of the Lions’ snaps at the quarterback 2 spot," Stanley wrote. "Dobbs came in for roughly a drive during 7-on-7s, threw a few passes, and there was nothing about those passes that made you go, 'Oh, okay, this guy’s going to make the team.'"
Lions could consider trade offers for Anthony Richardson, Spencer Rattler or Will Levis
Altmyer is an undrafted rookie free agent out of Illinois, so while it's nice that Detroit hit well enough on such a player to usurp the role of a veteran QB like Dobbs in such a short time, it's also cause for concern.
Namely, the Lions need a viable quarterback with experience for at least the upcoming season until Altmyer gets his feet wet in the pros, and that guy isn't on the team. However, there are at least three QBs Detroit might consider making a trade for in the coming weeks.
Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts is an obvious candidate. He was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft despite limited collegiate experience, due to his cannon of an arm and unteachable athletic skills as a scrambler/designed runner.
Richardson has fallen out of the starting lineup and may begin the year as QB3 in Indianapolis. He needs a fresh start, and both sides are ready to move on, so Detroit might be able to nab Richardson for a minimal Day 3 draft asset.
New Orleans Saints backup Spencer Rattler could prove slightly less available, as he appears firmly planted in the QB2 spot behind Tyler Shough, who took his job and then came on strong down the stretch in 2025. Rattler has two years remaining on his rookie contract, whereas Richardson is headed for free agency next March.
A third potential trade option for the Lions is Will Levis of the Tennessee Titans. Like Rattler, Levis was a former starter who lost his role to a rookie in Cam Ward last season. Levis is currently listed as the Titans' third-string quarterback behind Ward and backup Mitchell Trubisky.
Given Levis's status as QB3, Detroit might simply be able to wait the quarterback out, as Tennessee might cut him before the end of August, when the NFL demands initial 53-man rosters from all of its franchises. But that would result in Levis becoming subject to the waiver wire process, which might mean another team claims him before the Lions get a chance.
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