Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions.
Getty
The Detroit Lions' ideal backup quarterback for Jared Goff just landed into their hands, and they better move on it.
The Detroit Lions are a presence at the NFL Combine, which takes place from February 23 to March 2, but they’re not going to find their quarterback No. 2 there. The Lions need a veteran with real know-how to backup Jared Goff during the 2026-27 season.
They’re also not likely to draft a quarterback to take over as No. 2 at the NFL draft, which is set for April 23 through 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park. The Lions just don’t have a high pick, and again, they need someone with more skill lever than a rookie to fill in if Goff gets injured.
As it turns out, there’s a backup quarterback who may be an option, but the Detroit Lions will have competition to get him. Let’s look at this rising signal-caller and why he would be a good fit for Detroit.
Detroit Lions Need to Be Savvy and Go for a Quarterback Trade
In a piece out on Thursday, February 26, in Detroit Jock City, Jovan Alford makes the case for the Lions to make a trade deal for Anthony Richardson.
In the feature, he notes that the Lions will have to “find a quality backup quarterback behind Jared Goff this offseason after rolling with Kyle Allen this past season.” Allen will be an unrestricted free agent in March, so the Detroit Lions will need a No. 2 quarterback.
Sure, the Lions could draft a quarterback and try to develop him, as they did with Hendon Hooker, but we all know what happened there. Alford adds that “Detroit could also look towards free agency, which begins in two weeks, and sign a Zach Wilson or Kenny Pickett to a one-year deal.” But, ideally, Alford would like to see the Lions bring Richardson to the team.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Stephen Holder reported that the Colts are letting Richardson seek a trade. But, Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network reported that the Vikings may want him and that there’s mutual interest.
In the piece, Alford states that “the idea of the Lions acquiring Richardson for a Day 3 pick isn’t a bad idea, as he could sit behind a year and develop for a year.”
“The Lions likely wouldn’t pick up his fifth-year option, which is a whomping $23.5 million,” he adds. “That would give them the flexibility to either re-sign him to a smaller deal or just let Richardson enter free agency.”
Finally, he says that “Richardson would be an intriguing backup and potentially someone who could take over for Jared Goff, who has a potential out in his contract ahead of the 2028 season.”
Detroit Lions Quarterback Jared Goff is Helping the Youth in Michigan
On Wednesday, February 25, Goff made an announcement about his career. The signal-caller is hosting his first youth camp experiences in the spring.
Goff will host youth camp experiences through FlexWork Sports on April 18 in Grand Rapids and Saginaw, Michigan. He’s also holding a camp on April 19 at Bloomfield Hills High School, but that event is also sold out.
“Looking forward to getting on the field and making unforgettable memories together,” Goff stated, adding that interested parties may register through FlexWork Sports’ official website.