The Detroit Lions have a new vacancy at quarterback, and one insider suggests they could fill it by targeting a surprise release from the New England Patriots.
The Lions entered the offseason with backup Nate Sudfeld and rookie Hendon Hooker working behind starter Jared Goff, but neither made it to the final roster as both suffered injuries and the Lions ultimately brought in a new No. 2. Veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, a latecomer to training camp, ended up earning the backup job as Sudfeld suffered a torn ACL and Hooker is still rehabbing his own torn ACL suffered last season.
With just two healthy quarterbacks on the roster and no signal caller for the practice squad, USA Today’s Jeff Risdon suggested that the Lions make a run for Bailey Zappe after his release by the Patriots.
New Option for the Lions
Risdon noted that Zappe made a big impression against the Lions last season, filling in for the injured Mac Jones and leading the Patriots to a 29-0 victory. Zappe’s surprise release on the August 29 roster deadline could give the Lions an intriguing option, Risdon wrote.
“Zappe doesn’t have a great arm and he’s smallish. However, he’s got a quick release, throws very accurately to about 30 yards, and he’s good at finding the best option pre-snap — qualities he shares with Jared Goff,” Risdon wrote. “He’s a much better fit for the practice squad, as the Lions don’t really need a third active QB, but Zappe is better than guys some teams are carrying as their No. 2 QB.”
If the Lions were to make a run at Zappe, it may not be a long-term arrangement. As SI.com noted, the Lions chose to have Hooker start the 2023 season on the non-football injury list, eventually coming back to learn under the veterans Bridgewater and Goff.
“A Lions source familiar with the thought process on Hooker said that is not in the Lions’ plans to sit him the entire season and emphasized Hooker is expected to join the roster once healthy,” wrote Detroit Free Press reporter Dave Birkett.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell had already made it clear that Hooker was not in the plans for this season, saying the rookie would be going through a “redshirt year” as he continued through rehab and learned the ropes. Hooker could eventually challenge Goff for the starting job, but it would not be until 2024 at the earliest.
Bailey Zappe Expected to Return to New England
The Lions may need a strong offer if they intend to land Zappe, who cleared waivers and was expected to return to the Patriots’ practice squad.
Despite the expectations that Zappe would stay in New England, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston noted that he could still choose to sign elsewhere, which would leave the Patriots in a pickle.
“But if Zappe is claimed by another club — or if he wants a fresh start outside the organization that just acknowledged it was OK with losing him — Bill Belichick doesn’t have a bevy of obvious options to play as his No. 2,” Perry wrote.
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The Lions likely will exercise their fifth-year option on Williams this spring, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. The Lions have until May 1 to exercise an option that would guarantee Williams a salary around $15.49 million for 2026. That's well below market rate for a quality No. 2 receiver -- something Williams became in 2024 with a 58-1,001-7 line on 91 targets in 15 regular-season games. While unlikely to average more than 6-to-7 targets per game in an offense loaded with other talented playmakers, Williams should have a similar role this upcoming season under new play caller John Morton, who previously worked for the Lions in 2022 and then served as Denver's pass-game coordinator the past two years. Lions GM Brad Holmes said he'll likely pick up Williams' fifth-year option, but Holmes didn't mention a contract extension the way he did when discussing fellow 2022 first-round pick Aidan Hutchinson.
The Lions likely will exercise their fifth-year option on Williams this spring, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. The Lions have until May 1 to exercise an option that would guarantee Williams a salary around $15.49 million for 2026. That's well below market rate for a quality No. 2 receiver -- something Williams became in 2024 with a 58-1,001-7 line on 91 targets in 15 regular-season games. While unlikely to average more than 6-to-7 targets per game in an offense loaded with other talented playmakers, Williams should have a similar role this upcoming season under new play caller John Morton, who previously worked for the Lions in 2022 and then served as Denver's pass-game coordinator the past two years. Lions GM Brad Holmes said he'll likely pick up Williams' fifth-year option, but Holmes didn't mention a contract extension the way he did when discussing fellow 2022 first-round pick Aidan Hutchinson.
Awosika re-signed with the Lions on Friday. Awosika has been mostly a rotational player during his three seasons in Detroit, starting seven of the 36 regular-season games in which he's appeared. However, he could have the opportunity to compete for a starting role during the Lions' upcoming training camp due to Kevin Zeitler's signing with Tennessee in mid-March.
Maddox signed a one-year contract with the Lions on Friday, Glenn Erby of USA Today reports. Maddox, who started 2024 as a starter at slot cornerback for Philadelphia but was replaced by Cooper DeJean during the team's bye, now links up with another NFC contender. He looks primed for a key depth role behind Brian Branch in Detroit.
Dorsey re-signed with the Lions on Thursday. The cornerback suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Detroit's December loss to the Bills last year, but he appears to be healthy again. Dorsey played on 70 defensive snaps in 14 regular-season games with the Lions in 2024 and on 76 defensive snaps in 13 regular-season games the year before. Dorsey projects as a depth corner behind free-agent signing D.J. Reed, 2024 first-round pick Terrion Arnold, 2024 Pro Bowler Brian Branch and Amik Robertson.
Ya-Sin signed with the Lions on Thursday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The depth corner played in 13 games and on 54 defensive snaps for the 49ers last year, though he also saw action on 107 special-teams snaps, making three solo tackles in total. Ya-Sin has started one game over the past two seasons with the Ravens and 49ers. The 2019 second-round pick of the Colts started 38 across his first four seasons in the NFL, three with Indianapolis and one with Las Vegas.
The Lions re-signed Muhammad to a one-year deal Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Muhammad appeared in just nine regular-season games for the Lions in 2024, recording 11 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, and one pass defended across 230 defensive snaps. Now that he's re-signed with Detroit, the 29-year-old is expected to serve as one of the team's top rotational defensive ends in 2025, playing behind Aidan Hutchinson (lower leg) and Josh Paschal.
O'Connor and the Lions agreed on a contract Tuesday. O'Connor will return to Detroit after recording a career-high 18 total tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks, over 12 regular-season games in 2024. The defensive end will provide the Lions with another depth option behind Aidan Hutchinson (lower leg) and Josh Paschal in 2025.
Detroit will re-sign Zylstra for the 2025 season, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports. The Lions added Zylstra to the active roster from their practice squad in November of 2024, and over 13 games including the playoffs, he caught his only target for 22 yards. He also contributed on special teams, logging more snaps in that phase than on offense for the first time in his career. Barring injuries, his role on Detroit's offense is likely to be minor in 2025.
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Lions Urged to Sign Ex-Patriots QB After Surprise Release