The Lions will reportedly be moving on from backup QB Nate Sudfled, presumably giving the QB2 job to Hendon Hooker.
The Detroit Lions are releasing veteran quarterback Nate Sudfeld, according to Ian Rapoport.
The move comes as a pretty big surprise considering coach Dan Campbell said just last week that Sudfeld was ahead of second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker for the backup job, and seemed to strongly suggest they’ll be keeping three quarterbacks on the roster.
“Hooker is a young developing quarterback and he needs reps and he needs time. I do know that, and Nate right now has the upper hand because he’s played more,” Campbell said. “He’s been in it more, he’s seen it more, he just – and so with that, that would tell you there’s a good chance you could keep three. Am I going to say that’s 100 percent certain right now? No. But that’s kind of what you look at.”
It looked even more certain Sudfeld was going to win the job after he sat in the final preseason game.
However, it appears the Lions are comfortable with the progress Hooker made during the preseason. He closed out the exhibition period by going 12-of-20 for 114 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception, and 93 yards rushing against the Steelers in just over three-quarters of play.
Because Sudfeld is a veteran, he is not subject to waivers. There’s always a chance the Lions bring him back on the practice squad as a valued veteran and a player they could elevate from the practice squad, if necessary. But that remains to be seen.
For now, the Lions have Jared Goff as their starter, Hooker as their backup, and Jake Fromm remains on the team for now after being a late-camp pickup.