The Detroit Lions placed a lot of emphasis on upgrading the pass defense this offseason. Even though the team made it to the NFC Championship Game, Aaron Glenn’s pass defense had too many exploitable holes to push the Lions to where the team truly desires to be — playing for a Super Bowl title.
Those new additions, from first-round CB Terrion Arnold to free agent standout DT D.J. Reader, will be challenged by a schedule that is heavy on difficult quarterbacks in 2024.
The Lions will see a lot of talented quarterbacks. In fact, Detroit will see six different QBs who were selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft, including Bears rookie Caleb Williams twice. That list also features Matthew Stafford, taken No. 1 overall by the Lions back in 2009 and replaced via trade with the Rams by Jared Goff, the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft.
Here’s how the opposing QBs stack up, ranked by order they should be selected if trying to win in 2024, as the NFL approaches training camps.
Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy
EAGAN, MINNESOTA – JUNE 04: Quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy #9, Sam Darnold #14 and Nick Mullens #12 of the Minnesota Vikings watch the drill during Minnesota Vikings mandatory minicamp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on June 04, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota.(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Tennessee Titans: Will Levis
Quarterback Will Levis (8) runs through drills during Tennessee Titans practice at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams
Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) works through passing drills Wednesday, June 14, 2023, during mandatory minicamp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis.
Seattle Seahawks: Geno Smith
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray
Michael Chow-USA TODAY NETWORK
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield
. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers: Brock Purdy
. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love
Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott
(Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud
Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) tackles Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022.