Kyle Allen
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Kyle Allen warms up before a Detroit Lions preseason game.
The Detroit Lions will be in the market for a new backup to Jared Goff after losing a veteran quarterback at the start of free agency.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday that Kyle Allen, who earned the No. 2 spot in a battle with Hendon Hooker, is leaving to return to a former team — and a good friend.
“Source: Former Lions QB Kyle Allen Is signing a two-year, $4.1 million deal worth up to $6.1 million with the Buffalo Bills, where he will reunite with his close friend Josh Allen,” Schefter reported in a post on X.
Lions Need New Depth at Quarterback
Allen’s departure did not come as a surprise to many analysts, who expected the Lions to allow the backup quarterback to test the free agency waters.
Brandon Knapp of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit suggested there could be better options available than Allen, who won the job in training camp despite some shaky performances.
“The team could find a better backup than Allen. Someone like Joe Flacco would be an option,” Knapp wrote. “Upgrading the backup would cost some extra money, but that could be worth it to provide some insurance at the most important position. Outside of that, there really isn’t a downside.”