Breaking news: Rejected Lions QB, Named Second-Best NFL Free Agent.
In addition to quarterback Jake Fromm being added to the practice squad, the Detroit Lions have two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster: Hendon Hooker and Jared Goff. However, Nate Sudfeld, the quarterback, has not been retained in the lineup as a backup. As of right now, Dallas Robinson of ProFootballNetwork.com has ranked Sudfeld as the second-best quarterback free agency still available.
Ryan Tannehill is Just Behind Nate Sudfeld
Robinson ranked Sudfeld as the second-best quarterback in the league still available in a story published on August 28 that ranked the top remaining NFL free agents by position.
Although it seems doubtful now that Detroit has added Fromm to the practice squad, he did mention that “Sudfeld could end up back on the Detroit Lions’ taxi squad, especially since head coach Dan Campbell didn’t sound entirely sold on new QB2 Hendon Hooker.”
Ryan Tannehill was ranked by Robinson as the top quarterback available in the remaining free agent class.
Even though Tannehill had a dismal season and has seen repeated injury setbacks, Robinson stated that he is still the greatest quarterback available. Even at 35, he is still athletic enough to be a part of a fast-paced offense. As Week 1 draws near, teams that placed low in Pro Football Network’s rankings for backup quarterbacks may express interest in Tannehill.
Other quarterbacks that were selected were Blaine Gabbert (number five), Trevor Siemian (number four), and C.J. Beathard (number three).
Not All People Consider Nate Sudfeld to be a Get
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report did not list Sudfeld as one of the top quarterbacks on the market in a different piece about the finest free agents still available in the NFL.
On the first, however, Knox agreed with Robinson and declared Tannehill the greatest.
“For teams looking for an experienced spot starter or bridge option, Ryan Tannehill is still the best option—he has been available all offseason,” Knox wrote. “The 36-year-old is an experienced veteran with 151 starts on his resume; he might be more interested in the right opportunity than a sizable salary.”
Desmond Ridder and Bailey Zappe were selected by Knox as the other two NFL free agents to watch heading into the 2024–2025 season. Since then, Zappe has committed to the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Has Never Started an NFL Game,” says Nate Sudfeld.
Although Sudfeld had expertise, he also brought some baggage, according to Detroit Free Press reporter Dave Birkett in an article published on August 27 about his inability to sign with the Lions.
He stated, “Compared to Hooker, a 2023 third-round selection who missed the majority of his rookie season while recovering from a torn ACL, Sudfeld, a sixth-round selection in 2016, has a world more experience.” “Almost everybody feels that the Lions would be more likely to win a game tomorrow if they started Sudfeld or Fromm at quarterback instead of Hooker.” But Sudfeld is “coming off a torn ACL and has never started an NFL game,” according to Birkett.
Despite the fact that “other teams may be interested in their services,” Sudfeld and Fromm “would land opportunities that would be too prohibitive for the Lions to match,” according to Birkett, the “chances are remote.”
