After being the more consistent quarterback throughout the offseason, Detroit Lions veteran signal-caller Nate Sudfeld took a step back during the preseason opener on Thursday night in his quest to be the backup quarterback over fellow quarterback Hendon Hooker.
Sudfeld, who played the first two quarters before eventually being re-inserted back in the game following Hooker's concussion, struggled mightily with accuracy and didn't see an open receiver on multiple occasions. He also tossed an interception.
The Lions didn't move the sticks for the first time until the second quarter and had a pathetic 24 passing yards in the first half. Sudfeld settled in a bit after replacing Hooker, but that was against the Giants' third-team defense.
“There’s some decisions in there that I would like to be better," head coach Dan Campbell said, per Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire. "I expect better from him. I’m not as concerned right now or yet about the accuracy with what it is, wet ball, this and that, but there’s just a couple of decisions in there that I know he can be better on.”
Making things worse for Sudfeld, Hooker was on the opposite side of the spectrum with a strong showing in his first live NFL action that saw him ignite the offense, which will help his cause for the backup job.
As you'd imagine, Lions fans were less than pleased with how the veteran looked, and there isn't much faith in his ability to fill in for Jared Goff should he get hurt during the season. Here's how Lions fans reacted to Sudfeld's poor showing.
.@NateSudfeld I got you bro pic.twitter.com/DowpS08sDT
— Jared Goffs Bulge (@jaredgoffsbulge) August 9, 2024
Takeaways from #Lions @ #Giants:
— Natalie Sparbeck (@NatSparbeck) August 9, 2024
Nate Sudfeld never needs to play another snap in the #NFL again.
That’s it, no notes.
Hendon Hooker = QB 2
— Booner (@boonersports) August 9, 2024
Nate Sudfeld = QB6 #OnePride pic.twitter.com/pl6o41ORrc
Here's to hoping Jared Goff has another Ironman season because I do not want to see Nate Sudfeld in a real game.
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) August 8, 2024
If Jared Goff misses any time this season the Detroit Lions are beyond screwed. Same can be said for a lot of teams losing their QB1, but Nate Sudfeld might be the worst QB I’ve ever watched
— Erik Andersen (@erikandersennn) August 8, 2024
Nate Sudfeld is atrocious. I don’t care what he’s been doing in camp. Put Hooker in there already. I’ve seen enough.
— Kosta (@Gus_thegreek25) August 9, 2024
Huge Opinion:
— HUGE (@Hugeshow) August 9, 2024
Why is Nate Sudfeld a Detroit Lion? I know it’s only preseason but the guy is not a legit number 2 QB. Lions are too talented to not have a top shelf backup QB ready to go for a potential championship team.
Nate Sudfeld is so bad that he makes me miss Tim Boyle
— LionsFanReport (@lionsfanreport) August 9, 2024
