The Detroit Lions are set for the long haul at the quarterback position after inking Jared Goff to an extension earlier this offseason, but things remain murky behind him.
At training camp, the Lions are having a backup competition between veteran Nate Sudfeld and second-year signal-caller Hendon Hooker. So far, Sudfeld looks to be winning that competition, as he's been consistent while Hooker has been up and down.
In a recent article suggesting preseason trades, ESPN's Seth Walder thinks the Lions should go out and get an insurance policy by striking a deal with the Atlanta Falcons for Taylor Heinicke. Walder believes it would cost a seventh-round pick.
While Heinicke is not an amazing quarterback, he's a palatable backup. He has a 46 QBR over 38 career games (29 starts) and had a 51 QBR in five games with Atlanta last season -- though he also posted a minus-9% completion percentage over expectation in that span, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
He's an appealing option for Detroit, considering that the Lions are currently relying on 2023 third-round pick Hendon Hooker to be their backup. While Hooker, who missed all last season recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in college, certainly has more upside than Heinicke, he's also an unknown. If Hooker isn't ready and Jared Goff misses a few games, the Lions would need someone like Heinicke who can navigate them to a win or two and keep them in the running. That type of QB insurance is important, especially considering the Lions' status as a Super Bowl contender.
Ahead of a season in which Detroit has Super Bowl aspirations, the team needs to make sure it has someone who can keep the team afloat if Goff has to miss time because of injury.
Unfortunately, neither Hooker nor Sudfeld are sure things. After all, Hooker has never taken a snap in the NFL and Sudfeld has very limited experience since entering the league in 2016.
On paper, Heinicke is a better option than both after proving to be serviceable. And, chances are the Falcons would be willing to trade him after signing Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix.
The Lions are likely to stick with what they currently have, but a poor preseason showing from both signal-callers could change their mind.
