The Detroit Lions did not give a restricted free agent tender to No. 3 quarterback David Blough, but they’re re-signing him.
It’s a lock that Jared Goff will be back in 2022, but it was fair to assume or expect the Detroit Lions would do something to change the depth chart behind him from 2021. But after re-signing No. 2 quarterback Tim Boyle earlier this week, they have now, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, also re-signed No. 3 quarterback David Blough.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, it’s a one-year, $1.35 million deal for Blough.
Blough opened last season as the only other healthy quarterback on the active roster besides Goff, as Boyle worked his way back from a preseason thumb injury. But amid Goff’s serious early-season struggles, Blough only got four snaps with one rush attempt in the Week 8 blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. When Goff missed time later, Boyle made three starts and Blough never saw the field.
Blough started five games for the Lions in 2019 with Matthew Stafford missed the second half of the season, completing 54 percent of his passes for 984 yards with four touchdowns and six interceptions. Fans may remember his 75-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Golladay against the Bears on Thanksgiving Day in 2019.
David Blough is hardly guaranteed to emerge from OTAs on the Lions roster
The Lions tendered contracts to most of their restricted free agents. They’ve somewhat oddly circled back and re-signed a few who they didn’t tender, to bring them back even cheaper than the tender value, and Blough is another. He may end up simply being an OTA/mini-camp arm, and cut loose well before Week 1 or even training camp.
Bringing back Blough will not impact the Lions’ draft plans one bit. The idea they’ll consider taking a quarterback is unchanged, even as high as No. 2 overall. Blough is nothing more than insurance, and a set of experienced eyes in the quarterback room if he sticks around through the offseason.