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Dan Campbell officially announced that Teddy Bridgewater will be stepping away from the Detroit Lions, with retirement appearing to be the likely outcome. The Lions have since placed Bridgewater on the reserve/retired list.
Detroit is now left with just one quarterback on its roster: undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer. While Altmyer has looked impressive during training camp, he is still a rookie who has yet to take an NFL snap.
Campbell announced that the Lions will explore the veteran quarterback market and are expected to add another quarterback soon. With that in mind, here are three options Detroit could consider bringing into the quarterback room.
1. Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy Garoppolo would be my top candidate for the Lions.
At 34 years old, Garoppolo most recently spent the 2025 season with the Los Angeles Rams, serving as a backup to Matthew Stafford. Garoppolo has plenty of experience as both a starter and a backup throughout his NFL career.
Garoppolo is perhaps best known for leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 13-3 record in 2019 and helping them win the NFC Championship and eventually leading them to Super Bowl LIV, where they ultimately lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Since entering the league in 2014, Garoppolo has made 64 career starts with the New England Patriots, 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and Rams.
His experience could be extremely valuable for Detroit, particularly given the uncertainty behind Jared Goff. Garoppolo also spent the early part of his career backing up Tom Brady in New England and later served as Stafford’s backup in Los Angeles. Both quarterbacks have won a Super Bowl and MVP honors.
Garoppolo has completed 67.4% of his career passes for 15,828 yards and 96 touchdowns.
Of the available options, Garoppolo would provide Detroit with perhaps the best combination of experience, leadership and familiarity with the role of a veteran backup.
2. Trade for Gardner Minshew
This option is less likely because Detroit would have to make a trade, but Gardner Minshew could still be an intriguing option for the Lions.
The Arizona Cardinals currently have three quarterbacks on their roster: Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck.
Beck, a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, made a strong impression in the Hall of Fame Game and is viewed as a young quarterback with plenty of potential.
Brissett, meanwhile, recently signed a new contract with Arizona and appears to be in line to serve as the team’s starter.
That could leave Minshew as a potential trade candidate. Detroit could potentially offer a late-round pick, such as a sixth- or seventh-round selection, in exchange for the veteran quarterback.
Minshew signed a one-year, $5.75 million contract with Arizona, making him a relatively affordable option for the Lions from a financial standpoint.
Minshew also has extensive NFL experience, having made 38 career starts. He has thrown for more than 7,500 yards and 54 touchdowns during his career.
For a Lions team looking for an experienced quarterback who could step in if needed, Minshew could make sense.
3. John Wolford
John Wolford is another intriguing option, primarily because of his familiarity with Jared Goff.
Wolford spent time with the Los Angeles Rams and served as Goff’s backup in 2020. He even started a playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks that season after Goff was dealing with a thumb injury.
Wolford suffered a neck injury during the first quarter of that game, forcing Goff to enter the contest. Goff ultimately led the Rams to a victory over Seattle.
Wolford has not started an NFL game since 2022 and has not appeared in a regular-season game since that season, which would be the biggest concern with bringing him in. However, he has continued to bounce around NFL practice squads and has experience within NFL quarterback rooms.
Wolford originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and was signed by the New York Jets.
In 2023, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spent time on their practice squad before ultimately failing to make the 53-man roster.
On Dec. 3, 2024, Wolford signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad before being signed to the active roster on Feb. 17, 2025. He was later released by Jacksonville as part of final roster cuts.
On Oct. 29, 2025, Wolford signed with the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad after the team needed additional quarterback depth.
The biggest selling point for Detroit would be his familiarity with Goff and his previous experience in the Rams’ system.
Lions Don’t Need a Star — They Need Experience
There aren’t many ideal options available for the Lions at this point in the offseason. Detroit isn’t necessarily looking for another starting quarterback; it needs a veteran who can provide competition, leadership and insurance behind Goff.
Garoppolo would provide the most extensive experience, while Minshew could offer a more intriguing option if Detroit were willing to make a trade. Wolford would give the Lions familiarity with Goff and could provide an inexpensive depth option.
Fortunately for Detroit, Goff has not missed a game since becoming the Lions’ starting quarterback in 2021. Still, after losing Bridgewater, the Lions need to add another quarterback to the room sooner rather than later.
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Detroit is now left with just one quarterback on its roster: undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer. While Altmyer has looked impressive during training camp, he is still a rookie who has yet to take an NFL snap.
Campbell announced that the Lions will explore the veteran quarterback market and are expected to add another quarterback soon. With that in mind, here are three options Detroit could consider bringing into the quarterback room.
1. Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy Garoppolo would be my top candidate for the Lions.
At 34 years old, Garoppolo most recently spent the 2025 season with the Los Angeles Rams, serving as a backup to Matthew Stafford. Garoppolo has plenty of experience as both a starter and a backup throughout his NFL career.
Garoppolo is perhaps best known for leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 13-3 record in 2019 and helping them win the NFC Championship and eventually leading them to Super Bowl LIV, where they ultimately lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Since entering the league in 2014, Garoppolo has made 64 career starts with the New England Patriots, 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and Rams.
His experience could be extremely valuable for Detroit, particularly given the uncertainty behind Jared Goff. Garoppolo also spent the early part of his career backing up Tom Brady in New England and later served as Stafford’s backup in Los Angeles. Both quarterbacks have won a Super Bowl and MVP honors.
Garoppolo has completed 67.4% of his career passes for 15,828 yards and 96 touchdowns.
Of the available options, Garoppolo would provide Detroit with perhaps the best combination of experience, leadership and familiarity with the role of a veteran backup.
2. Trade for Gardner Minshew
This option is less likely because Detroit would have to make a trade, but Gardner Minshew could still be an intriguing option for the Lions.
The Arizona Cardinals currently have three quarterbacks on their roster: Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck.
Beck, a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, made a strong impression in the Hall of Fame Game and is viewed as a young quarterback with plenty of potential.
Brissett, meanwhile, recently signed a new contract with Arizona and appears to be in line to serve as the team’s starter.
That could leave Minshew as a potential trade candidate. Detroit could potentially offer a late-round pick, such as a sixth- or seventh-round selection, in exchange for the veteran quarterback.
Minshew signed a one-year, $5.75 million contract with Arizona, making him a relatively affordable option for the Lions from a financial standpoint.
Minshew also has extensive NFL experience, having made 38 career starts. He has thrown for more than 7,500 yards and 54 touchdowns during his career.
For a Lions team looking for an experienced quarterback who could step in if needed, Minshew could make sense.
3. John Wolford
John Wolford is another intriguing option, primarily because of his familiarity with Jared Goff.
Wolford spent time with the Los Angeles Rams and served as Goff’s backup in 2020. He even started a playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks that season after Goff was dealing with a thumb injury.
Wolford suffered a neck injury during the first quarter of that game, forcing Goff to enter the contest. Goff ultimately led the Rams to a victory over Seattle.
Wolford has not started an NFL game since 2022 and has not appeared in a regular-season game since that season, which would be the biggest concern with bringing him in. However, he has continued to bounce around NFL practice squads and has experience within NFL quarterback rooms.
Wolford originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and was signed by the New York Jets.
In 2023, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spent time on their practice squad before ultimately failing to make the 53-man roster.
On Dec. 3, 2024, Wolford signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad before being signed to the active roster on Feb. 17, 2025. He was later released by Jacksonville as part of final roster cuts.
On Oct. 29, 2025, Wolford signed with the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad after the team needed additional quarterback depth.
The biggest selling point for Detroit would be his familiarity with Goff and his previous experience in the Rams’ system.
Lions Don’t Need a Star — They Need Experience
There aren’t many ideal options available for the Lions at this point in the offseason. Detroit isn’t necessarily looking for another starting quarterback; it needs a veteran who can provide competition, leadership and insurance behind Goff.
Garoppolo would provide the most extensive experience, while Minshew could offer a more intriguing option if Detroit were willing to make a trade. Wolford would give the Lions familiarity with Goff and could provide an inexpensive depth option.
Fortunately for Detroit, Goff has not missed a game since becoming the Lions’ starting quarterback in 2021. Still, after losing Bridgewater, the Lions need to add another quarterback to the room sooner rather than later.
Continue reading...
