The Detroit Lions will be in the market for a new backup to Jared Goff after losing a veteran quarterback at the start of free agency.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday that Kyle Allen, who earned the No. 2 spot in a battle with Hendon Hooker, is leaving to return to a former team — and a good friend.
“Source: Former Lions QB Kyle Allen Is signing a two-year, $4.1 million deal worth up to $6.1 million with the Buffalo Bills, where he will reunite with his close friend Josh Allen,” Schefter reported in a post on X.
Lions Need New Depth at Quarterback
Allen’s departure did not come as a surprise to many analysts, who expected the Lions to allow the backup quarterback to test the free agency waters.
Brandon Knapp of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit suggested there could be better options available than Allen, who won the job in training camp despite some shaky performances.
“The team could find a better backup than Allen. Someone like Joe Flacco would be an option,” Knapp wrote. “Upgrading the backup would cost some extra money, but that could be worth it to provide some insurance at the most important position. Outside of that, there really isn’t a downside.”
Allen had been a trusted commodity behind Goff, earning praise from head coach Dan Campbell in the preseason for his steady presence on the field.
“He gets out there and immediately gives us a boost,” Campbell said. “Runs the offense, makes two huge throws in the first drive.”
Campbell added that Allen had an ability to make all of the plays, both small and big, to put his team in position to win.
“Man, I thought he was on point with the checks, the kills, motion landmarks, the whole thing. He operated the offense at a high level and made big-time throws, so I was fired up,” Campbell said.
Lions Running Low on Options
The Lions have missed out on several potential quarterbacks on the first day of legal tampering, with many backups landing new roles. Steady veterans including Mitch Trubisky, Gardner Minshew, and Kenny Pickett all found new homes on Monday.
The Lions have shown a willingness to draft quarterbacks, as they did three years ago with Hooker. The team’s goal was to develop Hooker into either a successor to Goff or a steady backup, with the option to trade him if he had grown into a starting-caliber quarterback.
While that ultimately didn’t work out with Hooker, the team could try again to draft a development project and allow them to grow behind Goff.
SI.com’s John Maakaron suggested the Lions could look to a veteran quarterback finally leaving the college ranks to join the NFL — Carson Beck. Maakaron wrote that the Lions could spend a few seasons allowing Beck to grow and prepare to become an NFL starter.
“Carson Beck will be that player Goff grooms over the next two to three seasons,” Maakaron wrote. “Beck should not see the field, as the league has proven the development of young quarterbacks has been subpar.”
Lions Lose QB Jared Goff’s Backup as Free Agency Begins