The Detroit Lions had a stable quarterback room heading into the 2024 season, with Jared Goff firmly established as the starter and second-year Hendon Hooker projected to move into the backup role after a rookie season spent recovering from injuries.
However, the departure of veteran Teddy Bridgewater has created a need in veteran leadership, which one insider says may be rectified by bringing back a familiar face. According to Jeremy Reisman of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit, re-signing veteran Nate Sudfeld is a “no-brainer” choice for the Lions, as it gives the team a stable hand as an emergency quarterback while also assisting Hooker’s development.
Injury Setback for Nate Sudfeld
According to Reisman, Sudfeld started the 2023 preseason with the idea of serving as the backup quarterback to Goff and Bridgewater while Hooker healed from a ruptured ACL suffered in his final season at Tennessee. However, Sudfeld suffered an injury, tearing his ACL in the team’s final preseason game and missed the entire season.
Sudfeld remained on injured reserve throughout the season, but Reisman noted that he was near to the team facilities at times while rehabbing at home in Oregon. The Lions eventually brought back David Blough, a former starter, to serve as No. 3 until Hooker returned late in the season.
The Lions will have a hole in their quarterback room after Bridgewater and Blough retired to become coaches, and Reisman indicated Sudfeld could fill the void.
“Sudfeld may not have a ton of playing experience (six game appearances and no career starts), but he’s been in the NFL since 2016,” Reisman said in a statement. “He has obviously established himself in the professional ranks as a valuable counselor. He also has two years of experience with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s offense, and most importantly, Goff respects him.”
Lions Planning Another Big Move at Quarterback
The Lions confront another key choice at the top of the quarterback depth chart, as the organization works on a long-term agreement for Goff.
Goff has had three of his best seasons in the NFL since joining the Lions in 2021, throwing for 12,258 yards, 78 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions across 48 games. He performed even better in the 2023 season, finishing second in the league in passing yards (4,575) and fourth in touchdown passes (30), while leading the Lions to their first NFC Championship game trip in 30 years.
Goff stated that he would prefer to sign a long-term deal.
“I’ve loved every second of my time here and would love more,” Goff told Fox Sports. “I love Dan [Campbell], the coaches, and all of my teammates. Yes, it would be amazing. But it is not up to me.”
It seems likely that Detroit would have to make a major financial contribution. According to Joel Corry of CBS Sports, Goff’s deal will be more than that of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, for whom he was traded in 2021.
“Goff could soon be laughing all the way to the bank,” Corry stated in an email. “The strong performance against the Rams [in the playoffs] ensures that a new Goff contract will exceed Matthew Stafford’s 2022 agreement. Stafford got a four-year, $160 million agreement that averages $40 million per year, tying him with quarterbacks Daniel Jones (Giants) and Dak Prescott (Cowboys) for the league’s tenth-highest salary. The transaction includes $135 million in guarantees, with $63 million completely guaranteed at signing.
