Prior to the 2024 NFL regular season beginning, the Detroit Lions are making a few final preparations. Hendon Hooker, the quarterback for the team, was hurt recently after sustaining a concussion in the preseason. The backup quarterback position is critical to a team’s squad in the event that the starter gets hurt, even though it may not be as vital as the starting job. A seasoned quarterback has been signed by Detroit to cover for Hooker as he recovers from an injury.

Detroit Lions Acquire Quarterback

Following Hooker’s injury, the Lions added experienced quarterback Jake Fromm to the position to provide depth. Head coach Dan Campbell said the group thinks Fromm can pick up the offensive strategy fast.

We had the impression that he would be able to pick up the offense quickly enough to be able to assist us when necessary.

The decision to sign comes from the team’s desire to avoid using third-string quarterback Nate Sudfeld or starter Jared Goff during the preseason.

Fromm Jake

Fromm started two games for the New York Giants after being selected by the Buffalo Bills in the 2020 NFL Draft. A few months ago, the Washington Commanders dismissed Fromm. In a recent press conference, Campbell appeared to have a high opinion of the seasoned quarterback.

We wanted someone who we thought could fit in the pocket, and luckily, he was free. We’ll see where it goes; he looked excellent after working out.

Throughout his career, the quarterback has completed 27 of 60 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown. Even though Fromm hasn’t had a lot of playing time in his career, Detroit seems to believe that he can play snaps behind center when necessary.
Given that the Lions had an excellent 2023–2024 season, how do you think they will perform this season?

TWENTYMAN: Five positional matchups to keep an eye on before the last week of preseason.

The deadline of August 27 to reduce the roster to 53 players is drawing near as we enter the final week of the preseason. There are only a few more chances to make an impression at practice and the Ford Field preseason finale on Saturday. It will be difficult to choose between several position fights, which is advantageous for a team hoping to win the Super Bowl. It indicates how deep and talented the roster is.

In particular, the following five position contests have the potential to be close calls:

1. EDGE RUSHER

Josh Paschal, Aidan Hutchinson, and Marcus Davenport all appear safe, but I found it noteworthy that Paschal played until the late stages of Saturday’s Chiefs preseason game.

Although James Houston’s switch to defensive end limits his usage somewhat, rushing the passer is still one of the better things to be extremely excellent at in this game.
Following Houston, a number of players—including Isaac Ukwu, Mitchell Agude, and Mathieu Betts—have made a good number of plays during camp and the preseason. The ability to play both end and SAM linebacker could be the deciding factor in this match. Aaron Glenn’s defense heavily relies on the SAM linebacker. Who, after Derrick Barnes, suits the best?

2. TINY END 3

Although it’s uncertain if the Lions will start three or four tight ends, last season’s Week 1 game against Kansas City saw three of them on the field.

Although we are aware that Brock Wright and Sam LaPorta have been accepted, it seems like there is still competition for spots.

Parker Hesse may have an advantage because he has increased his responsibilities to fullback. He plays a style of game that head coach Dan Campbell enjoys seeing physically.

It will be a big week for Hesse, James Mitchell, and Shane Zylstra as they could be fighting for one or two berths.

3. RESERVE QB

In this situation, what will offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Campbell decide to do? Will they select Nate Sudfeld, the seasoned player who covered for Jared Goff in 2022? Or will they go with Hendon Hooker, a second-year signal caller with a ton of talent but who is a little more raw?

Plays were made by Hooker and Sudfeld in the preseason game on Saturday. Throughout camp, the two have switched up who plays offense for the second team, but Sudfeld has started the first two preseason games. Is Hooker prepared for Week 1 of work? Will the Lions choose the dependable veteran? Whether the Lions choose to start two or three quarterbacks on the first 53 might depend on the answers to those questions.

4. Broad Receiver 4

The top three receivers entering the season are Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, but who is number four? It’s a truly wonderful question. Four distinct persons may respond to the same question in four different ways. Isaiah Williams, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Daurice Fountain, and Kaden Davis are the front-runners.

Isaiah Williams has shown promise in the preseason, but his stature (5-10, 186) may have something to do with it. Though St. Brown operates out of the slot, he has made his plays from there. Williams, is she able to play the Z? The Lions plan to find out this week, which may have a significant impact.

Peoples and FountainAlthough Jones hasn’t done much in the preseason, he has shown glimpses in practice and has the 6-foot-2 stature and experience that the Lions would like at this position. I find Davis to be an interesting one. He simply shows up for work and produces, as evidenced by the 61-yard touchdown in Kansas City. He’s also rather large (6-1).

Additionally take into account this: More than a thousand players from 31 other teams—who must make the same difficult choices the Lions do in order to move from ninety-nine to fifty-three players—will become accessible. What if the Lions had a pro scouting department or an experienced receiver of a certain size that they liked during the draft process? That’s also always an option—not just right now.

5. LARGE SNAPPER

The nicest thing any coaching staff can say about a player at this position is that the Lions trust their current starter, Scott Daly.

Hogan Hatten gives the punt coverage unit a somewhat more potent weapon due to his adaptable skill set. He has even filled in as an emergency linebacker. When he snaps the ball, can he eventually gain their trust to the same extent as Daly? This competition will actually be decided by that.

A real competition, that is, Campbell declared last week. “Daly has demonstrated the ability to snap reliably and under duress in important games, executing a variety of looks, managing the protection and the snap. That’s what (Hatten) will do next. He needs to demonstrate his ability to achieve that quickly. We have to try to place him in some of these difficult circumstances. Right now, there is true competition.”