Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell
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Head coach Dan Campbell looks on during warmups prior to their game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field on September 08, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions and head coach Dan Campbell are coming off of an extremely disappointing 2025NNFL season.
After being arguably the best team in the league during the 2024 campaign but coming up short in the playoffs, the Lions were expected to be a top Super Bowl contender in 2025. That wasn’t close to being the case.
When all was said and done, Detroit missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record.
Entering the NFL offseason, the Lions had a sense of urgency. They have added players like running back Isiah Pacheco, center Cade Mays, and cornerback Roger McCreary, along with multiple other moves. With the 2026 NFL Draft coming up quickly, Detroit will have another chance to improve the roster.
Keeping that in mind, the Lions have been connected to a surprising potential quarterback move.
Detroit Lions Could Add Surprising Quarterback
In free agency, Detroit went out and signed veteran signal caller Teddy Bridgewater. However, the team has been connected to making another quarterback move.
Ayrton Ostly has named the Lions as one of the top potential landing spots for Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck in the upcoming draft.
“Beck compares well to a Goff-type quarterback. He’s got prototypical size at 6-foot-5 and 233 pounds, making him durable enough to handle NFL defenders in his face. But he’ll need a strong offensive line around him to stave off interior pressure, one of the weaker points of his game,” Ostly wrote.
“Detroit’s talents at running back (Jahmyr Gibbs), wide receiver (Amon-Ra St. Brown) and tight end (Sam LaPorta) are good enough for him to operate in the point guard role he did in college and distribute the ball in the case of a Goff injury.”
Carson Beck Could Be an Intriguing Long-Term Pickup for Lions
Throughout his college career split between the Georgia Bulldogs and Miami, Beck put up big numbers. He completed 69.5 percent of his pass attempts for 11,725 yards, 88 touchdowns, and 32 interceptions. He also chipped in with 288 yards and seven more touchdowns on the ground.
Beck joining the Lions would give him time to learn from the sideline. He wouldn’t even need to be the team’s primary backup during the 2026 season.
NFL.com has compared the Hurricanes’ standout quarterback to current Carolina Panthers signal caller Kenny Pickett. That isn’t the most flattering comparison, but Pickett has become a valued backup quarterback.
Having a young option behind Jared Goff and Bridgewater would be a wise decision for the Lions. Beck could be that guy and it would likely only cost Detroit a mid-round pick.
Only time will tell if the Lions have interest in adding another signal caller. If they do, Beck would be well worth taking a long look at in the 2026 NFL Draft.