There aren’t many question marks on the Detroit Lions’ offensive side of the ball, but one of them is the backup quarterback position behind starter Jared Goff.
The Lions are presently competing with second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker and veteran Nate Sudfeld, both of whom are uncertain. Hooker did not play at all last season, so the jury is still out on him, while Sudfeld has only six career games and did not perform well in preseason Week 1.
Knowing all of this, the Lions could want to consider acquiring another option at the position, and CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin feels Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke might be a good match in a trade.
Three years removed from a spunky full-time gig as the Washington Commanders’ starter, Heinicke’s better suited coming off the bench, though he’s suddenly an odd fit in Atlanta, where the Falcons’ first-round pick of Michael Penix Jr. has left him a distant No. 3 behind Kirk Cousins. His experience (29 career starts) could be more valuable elsewhere as other teams scrounge for last-minute backup help.
Potential fits: Buccaneers, Lions, Vikings
As Benjamin points out, Heinicke has become disposable because the Falcons acquired Kirk Cousins and drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the same offseason, so he’s definitely a viable choice if the Lions want to shore things up.
Heinicke has more starting experience than Hooker and Sudfeld combined, and he has proven to be a reliable option when given the ball. Surrounded by the Lions’ top offense, he could certainly keep things going if Goff is injured for an extended period of time.
The Lions don’t want Goff’s multi-week absence to spoil a season in which they have legitimate Super Bowl hopes.
As of now, Heinicke, who would only cost a late-round choice in a trade, is a better option on paper than both Hooker and Sudfeld, and Detroit should seriously explore him if it isn’t satisfied with its present roster.
