With second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker anticipated to take over No. 2 duties for the Detroit Lions this season, the team implemented an insurance policy.
On March 27, the Lions announced that they had re-signed veteran quarterback Nate Sudfeld for his third season in Detroit. Hooker joined the squad at the start of the 2022 season and played in two games, but he suffered a ruptured ACL during training camp last year and will miss the whole 2023 season.
With last year’s backup Teddy Bridgewater retiring, Sudfeld adds a veteran presence to the depth chart behind starter Jared Goff.
Nate Sudfeld’s Return To Detroit
Sudfeld entered the league in 2016 as a sixth-round pick of the Washington Commanders, although he saw no action that season. He played the following four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, playing in four games and completing 25 of 37 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
He joined the Lions in August 2022, and quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell praised him for his attention to detail.
“I talked about the preparation, being ready to go if called upon, and the time he put in,” Brunell told the Detroit News. “He was fantastic leading up to our games, working with Jared and watching the tape together. Then on game day, he was outstanding. And it’s critical for a starter to have a resource on the sidelines, in the meeting room, who genuinely wants to help Jared be the best he can be.”
According to Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire, Sudfeld’s contract could indicate that the Lions have established their quarterback depth chart for the next season.
“Signing Sudfeld now could be a strong indication that the Lions are satisfied with the quarterback room as-is before the 2024 NFL draft,” Risdon said in a statement.
Hendon Hooker’s New Role
The Lions have also held Hooker in high regard, despite the fact that he saw no play during his rookie season while recovering a torn ACL that ended his final season at Tennessee.
Speaking at the NFL Combine last month, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said it was tough to provide a comprehensive appraisal on Hooker due to his lack of playing time, but he praised his efforts.
“Man, I would say it’s hard because he was coming back from an injury and didn’t get to play,” Campbell told USA Today’s Lions Wire. “But he got a ton of — by the end of the year, call it three months of practice time, and he did a lot of the scout team, learned a lot from Teddy Bridgewater and Jared Goff, seven-on-sevens, a few team reps good-on-good.”
However, Campbell stated that Hooker had some real signs of progress throughout the season.
“All I can tell you is that there is growth. “We saw growth,” Campbell explained. “And that is encouraging. That is all we can ask at this time. I don’t think we fully understand who he is yet. There isn’t enough evidence. But I am confident that we made progress. And that is what we are looking for.
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