David Blough’s stay as Jared Goff’s backup was a short one.
The Detroit Lions are planning to sign Nate Sudfeld as their new No. 2 quarterback once he passes his physical Wednesday morning, a team source told the Free Press. ESPN and NFL Network reported the Lions plan to waive Blough as part of the move.
Blough, who could return on the Lions’ practice squad, survived the Lions’ initial cut to a 53-man roster after outperforming Tim Boyle in training camp, but Lions coach Dan Campbell hinted the team could be looking elsewhere for its backup after both Blough and Boyle struggled in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers to close the preseason.
Sudfeld, who was released by the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday and does not have to clear waivers, appeared in four games as a backup with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017-20. He split his time between the 49ers’ active roster and practice squad last season, and started his NFL career in Washington as a sixth-round pick.
For his career, Sudfeld, 28, is 25 of 37 passing for 188 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The 49ers kept Jimmy Garoppolo and Brock Purdy as backups to starting quarterback Trey Lance.
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Campbell said Monday the Lions had to balance what they know about Blough, who has played sparingly the past two seasons since going 0-5 as a replacement starter for Matthew Stafford as a rookie in 2019, with what they have seen from other potential backups.
“I think the best way to answer it is, whoever is out there, you’ve got to know it’s a clear upgrade from what’s already in this building would be the best way to say it,” Campbell said. “Because if it’s not, then why would you do it?”