“Brad (Holmes) and I talked about that this morning, that could come down the wire, you know, today or tomorrow.” Campbell said. “There is a chance, you know, I think we’ll, we’ll have a pretty good idea this afternoon as to do we need to go ahead and do that, just to make sure we’ve got a guy other than Nate, you know, for the game.”
With that in mind, here’s five free agent quarterbacks that it would be worth the Lions time to give a shot to:
Ryan Tannehill
USATSI_22244118
There is no quarterback on the market that makes more sense than this one. Tannehill has experience being a team’s starter and he has a lot of knowledge on the game that can help Hendon Hooker. He’s also been a starting quarterback under Dan Campbell and when Campbell was the interim head coach of the Dolphins. Ben Johnson was there too by the way.
It’s a bit surprising that Tannehill is still on the open market right now. It would be shocking if the Lions didn’t at least make a phone call on this one.
A.J. McCarron
AJ McCarron
© Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
He’s been a solid backup quarterback for years, but the thing that really makes him an interesting option is that he’s a lot like David Blough in the sense that he’s like a player/coach. McCarron has ability, but his football mind is what’s keeping him on rosters every year. It’s worth having this guy around to help Hooker’s progression. Maybe even a little more than Tannehill.
Blaine Gabbert
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Blaine Gabbert (9) warms up against the Chicago Bears prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Gabbert is another guy that’s just been around forever and there’s a reason for that. He’s a good reliable backup quarterback with a good football mind. The Chiefs have trusted him on multiple occasions and he’s started some games for them as well. You’re not going to get anything flashy out of him, but he gets it done when he needs to.
Jordan Ta’amu
USATSI_22912201
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s a guy you might remember. The Lions had him in during the 2020 preseason. Since then he’s been making a name for himself in the XFL, USFL and UFL. In 2023 he was the XFL Offensive Player of the Year. He hasn’t been in the NFL since last season when he spent some time with the Vikings.
Ta’Amu might not be a long term fix to the problem, but if the Lions are looking for a guy that can come in for a week and maybe wind up sticking around, Ta’amu could be that guy.
Nathan Rourke
USATSI_23963099
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
This guy used to play for the Lions too. The British Columbia Lions that is. The former CFL Most Outstanding Canadian was so much fun to watch in the CFL and he was easily the best quarterback in the league.
In the NFL he has shown some flashes in the preseason, but he’s never been able to stick on a team and it’s mostly been because that team has their quarterback situation completely figured out. The Lions don’t.
Rourke has a great arm and is mobile as well, it’s strange this hasn’t worked out yet.
#Lions #LionsNews #LionsRumors