It is suggested that the Lions sign an ex-top-10 quarterback to compete with Hendon Hooker.’
The Detroit Lions have depth at quarterback with Hendon Hooker, even in the absence of Teddy Bridgewater, who retired to start his coaching career. But will Detroit trust a quarterback who has never played in the NFL to step up in the event that Jared Goff suffers a serious injury? The Lions are set to play in the Super Bowl or bust in 2024. If the response to that question is negative, Christian Booher of SI.com’s All Lions made the case that Detroit ought to think about pursuing veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill in free agency.
Booher wrote, “Over his career, Tannehill has amassed 151 starts and has made the postseason in four of his seasons.” “In eight starts in 2023, he only managed four touchdown passes against seven interceptions, indicating a decline in his output.
“Tannehill fits the bill if the Lions are looking for an experienced backup quarterback.”
Tannehill joined the Miami Dolphins as the eighth overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. He has only ever finished a regular season worse than two games below.500, despite the fact that he has only ever won a postseason game in one season.
Tannehill had a 3-5 record in 2023 while starting. In ten games with the Tennessee Titans, he averaged seven yards per attempt and recorded a 64.8% completion percentage.
All the Lions brass has said about Hooker has been positive. The Lions selected the former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, despite the fact that he suffered a serious knee injury in November 2022.
In May of last year, Hooker’s 2023 season was described as “a redshirt season” by Lions head coach Dan Campbell. However, the team probably wants to start the young quarterback’s development now that Hooker is fully healthy through 2024.
However, Hooker’s development won’t be aided by signing a quarterback who is ranked ahead of him on the depth chart.
Practice time is hard to come by for third-string signal callers. No. 3 quarterbacks are more likely to run the practice squad offense against the No. 1 defense than to get meaningful practice reps, though that has probably changed somewhat in recent years.
Making Hooker the third quarterback on the squad could therefore impede his development.
However, it makes sense if the Lions don’t think highly of Hooker as their backup signal caller. That would make him eligible to start just one Goff injury away.
Since November 19, 2022, Hooker has not participated in any type of competition, with the exception of college games.
The Lions would have another experienced first-round pick behind Goff if they signed Tannehill. Over his career, Tannehill has started 151 games. Compared to Bridgewater’s start, he has won more games.
Tannehill’s two best seasons with the Titans were in 2020 and 2021. During those two campaigns, he guided Tennessee to a 23-10 record.
With 9.6 yards per attempt, Tannehill led the NFL in 2019 and was named the league’s Comeback Player of the Year.
Goff and Hooker were two of the four quarterbacks the Lions had when they started training camp the previous season. The team’s eventual backups for 2023, Nate Sudfeld and Adrian Martinez, were not, however.
First, during training camp and the first few weeks of the previous season, the Lions evaluated their quarterback situation. The group then chose to insert Bridgewater as a backup for Goff.
For depth, the Lions will undoubtedly start the 2024 offseason with the addition of additional quarterbacks. However, it would make sense for the Lions to pass on signing anyone who would put up a real fight against Hooker in practice.
In this manner, Hooker will get all of Goff’s practice opportunities during the offseason. The 26-year-old will then be able to determine whether or not he is ready to start as the Lions’ backup quarterback.
The Lions may look into the quarterback market if he isn’t.
Nevertheless, Tannehill is probably not a realistic target for Detroit should the Lions pursue that course of action. Teams may be interested in Tannehill to contend for a starting position in 2024.
Tannehill will probably sign a backup contract with a team before August, at the absolute least.
