The Detroit Lions finished out the 2022 preseason on August 28 with a 19-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and after the game, quarterbacks took center stage.
While Pittsburgh has to decide who will start, the Lions are tasked with deciding whether anyone besides Jared Goff should stay. The answer, for some, is that nobody should stay, especially considering how backups Tim Boyle and David Blough performed.
According to a tweet from CBS Sports analyst Aditi Kinkhabwala, the Lions should try to acquire the Steelers’ Mason Rudolph, who made three pass attempts in the game.
“Spent the Lions-Steelers game on the sidelines. Some thoughts: The Lions should make a real and strong offer for Mason Rudolph,” Kinkhabwala tweeted.
It isn’t the first time Rudolph has been tied to Detroit. A few weeks back, rumors swirled that the Lions could look to deal for the quarterback, who could be on the outside looking in with the Steelers if they cut him August 30, when they have to trim their roster to 53 players.
If the Steelers did cut Rudolph, the Lions, who are second in the waiver order, could sign him if the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are first, did not claim him.
Lions Quarterbacks Unimpressive vs. Steelers
No matter which of the Lions’ backup quarterbacks was on the field, the Lions weren’t in good shape in Week 3. Boyle started the game and played so poorly that he got the hook after an interception on the Lions’ first drive of the second quarter. Boyle also opened the second half, completing only two passes. On the game, Boyle was 5-of-15 for 64 yards and an interception. He had a quarterback rating of 19.8.
Blough led the Lions to a touchdown with the 30 seconds left in the game but was inconsistent. Overall, he was 17-of-32 for 160 yards and a touchdown.
Combined, the Lions’ quarterbacks were an uninspiring 22-of-47 for 224 yards, one touchdown and one interception. After the game, head coach Dan Campbell said the team had seen what it needed to see in order to make a decision about the backup quarterback job.
“I think we got things answered.”
Coach Campbell on the backup quarterback competition
“What I would say is, I think it became very clear. I think we got things answered, and I would leave it at that,” Campbell told the media.
Rudolph’s Career Stats & Highlights
When he was drafted in 2018 out of Oklahoma State, many thought that Rudolph could be the possible successor to Ben Roethlisberger. But then Pittsburgh signed Mitchell Trubisky to a two-year deal in March and, a month later, used a first-round pick to draft Kenny Pickett. Heading into cutdown day on August 30, Trubisky tops the Steelers’ depth chart, followed by Rudolph and Pickett.
In three seasons, Rudolph has decent stats, whether it’s in mop-up or emergency duty. He has more touchdowns (16) than interceptions (11) and has thrown for 2,366 yards for an 80.9 passer rating. Here are some highlights:
At Oklahoma State, Rudolph was solid statistically, putting up 13,618 yards and 92 touchdowns. He might not be starter material, but he is very capable as a backup, which is just what the Lions could have in mind for him if he is added.
Clearly, the quarterback position will be one to watch for the Lions in the coming days.
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Analyst Pushes for ‘Strong Offer’ From Lions for QB on Trade Block