Detroit Lions re-sign veteran backup quarterback

ALLEN PARK -- Nate Sudfeld missed all of last season after suffering a torn ACL in the preseason finale. But the Detroit Lions are re-signing Sudfeld for another run to bolster their quarterback depth after Teddy Bridgewater’s retirement.

Sudfeld had a rough couple of weeks to end training camp. He looked to be in the pole position to be QB2 behind Jared Goff for another campaign. But the Lions added Bridgewater in the middle of camp, and Sudfeld’s play dipped in his quest for a roster spot. He went on the injured list but remained with the Lions for the year.

It’ll be a different situation waiting for him this time around, though. Hendon Hooker is widely thought to be the team’s locked-in QB 2 next season. The quarterback missed all of training camp and most of last season before finishing the year by getting some all-important practice reps and time with Bridgewater and Goff.

Related: Lions prioritizing mega contract extensions for Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown

Related: Lions reportedly lose veteran WR they hoped to re-sign to Denver Broncos

Hooker was a third-round pick in last year’s draft, so the job behind Goff should be his to lose this offseason.

Goff is entering a contract year. But the Lions have said getting his -- and Amon-Ra St. Brown’s -- extension done is a top priority for the franchise. It won’t come cheap. But Goff has earned it by playing the best football of his career and captaining the ship of the red-hot Lions.

He’s locked into the starting job for the short and long term around these parts. Hooker is a lottery card behind him. He was one of the faces of college football before a knee injury ended his electrifying final season at Tennessee. And with a full offseason with the playbook and on the field ahead, it’ll be interesting to see Hooker’s growth and comfort with Goff as his top backup quarterback.

Sudfeld, 30, brings quarterback depth with familiarity inside the scheme and a full season as Goff’s backup. He’s been with the Lions since 2022, appearing in two games during that span. Sudfeld hasn’t attempted a pass in the season since with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. But he knows the scheme and team.