Lions GM Brad Holmes has openly admitted he was scrambling for a backup quarterback last season -- and that "we don't have a lot behind" Jared Goff.
They wound up signing Nate Sudfeld late in training camp, and now they're bringing him back. The Lions announced Friday they have re-signed the 29-year-old quarterback; contract terms were not disclosed.
Sudfeld appeared in two games for the Lions last season, both in blowout victories. He hasn't thrown a pass in the NFL since 2020, his third and final season with the Eagles.
The Lions are bringing Sudfeld back just to compete for a spot on the roster, perhaps even as a practice squad vet. Signing him today doesn't mean he'll be their backup quarterback come September. A team with legitimate playoff aspirations needs a better insurance plan at the most important position on the field.
"We’ve had these open, transparent conversations about, we’re happy with Jared, he’s our starter, but we need to add some pieces in that room overall," Holmes said at the combine earlier this month. "So whether it’s in free agency or in the draft, we just gotta get somebody to continue to develop."
Asked if the Lions would consider drafting a quarterback this year with one of their two first-round picks -- they did meet with Florida's Anthony Richardson at the combine -- Holmes said, "It just has to make sense. Obviously we like Jared, he’s our starter, but we don’t have a lot behind him."
For now, they have Sudfeld. We'll see who else they add as the offseason continues.
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