Nate Sudfeld
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Nate Sudfeld looks to make a pass in a preseason game against the New York Giants.
The 2023 season came to an abrupt end before it even began for Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld, who suffered a torn ACL in the team’s final preseason game and missed all of the next season.
Sudfeld returned to the Lions in 2024 but was released at the final cutdown in August, spending the season watching from home. He is now mounting an NFL comeback, signing with the San Francisco 49ers to vie for the chance to back up Brock Purdy.
Nate Sudfeld Makes His Return
Sudfeld had bounced around the league before landing in Detroit. He started his career as a sixth-round pick in 2016, spending two years there before bouncing around to the Philadelphia Eagles and 49ers before joining the Lions in 2022.
Sudfeld struggled that preseason and appeared to be on his way to being waived before his injury struck. He had another chance with the Lions last year but lost out on the backup job to Hendon Hooker.
He will now compete with former New England Patriot starter Mac Jones for the right to back up Purdy. Jones was injured this week and coach Kyle Shanahan said he would miss the rest of the preseason. Shanahan said that the injury to Jones led the team to peruse the free agency market, leading them to sign Sudfeld.
“With Mac being out, that’s why we brought in Nate, too,” Shanahan said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “Because I know we’re going to want at least two other guys to play besides Brock [Purdy], if he does go.”
It could be a difficult task, with just one preseason game remaining. The 31-year-old Sudfeld doesn’t have much of an NFL resume to fall back on, appearing in only six games and going 25-for-37 for 188 yards and one touchdown.
Lions Regretted Sudfeld’s Injury
The Lions had plenty of faith in Sudfeld despite his struggles, with head coach Dan Campbell praising his tenacity. When Sudfeld tore his ACL, Campbell said it was painful for the entire coaching staff.
“I hate that for him. That’s tough because Nate’s given us everything that he’s had,” Dan Campbell said, via SI.com. “He came in last year and brought something to us. Somebody we were very comfortable with, enough to sign him back. So, I hate that, if that’s the way it goes here.”
Lions quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell added that Sudfeld was very well-prepared, a trait that served as an example to the team’s other quarterbacks.
“He was great leading up to our games, as far as working with Jared and watching tape together. And then on game day, he was excellent,” Brunell said. “And it’s very important for a starter to have a resource on the sidelines, in the meeting room, a backup guy that really just wants to help Jared [Goff] be the best he can be.”
While Sudfeld will face a challenge in finding a role with the 49ers, his former competitor has his own difficulties in Detroit. Hooker has struggled in training camp and preseason action, with veteran quarterback Kyle Allen seizing control of the competition for the No. 2 spot.