As 2022 training camps get going, players from the new USFL with Detroit Lions ties are finding new NFL homes.
The first season of the re-booted USFL ended on July 3, with players who have Detroit Lions ties featured prominently in some key games.
As NFL training camps get going, USFL players are finding opportunities–new chances in the NFL for some. Lately, the signings from the USFL have had a strong scent of ties to the Lions.
Victor Bolden Jr. was the MVP of the USFL title game and an all-purpose stud throughout the season, as he helped spur the Birmingham Stallions to the best regular season record in the league and ultimately the championship.
Bolden spent time on the Lions’ practice squad or offseason roster each year from 2019-2021, after spending time with the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills. His most prominent NFL regular season action thus far came for the 49ers in 2017, and now he has landed with another NFC West team.
On Friday, the Arizona Cardinals announced they signed Bolden.
USFL quarterbacks with Lions ties find new NFL homes
Luis Perez helped lead the New Jersey Generals to the USFL playoffs. He spent a few days with the Lions late in the 2019 preseason. He was originally signed by the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2018, and he’s headed back to the Rams now. He will compete with John Wolford and Bryce Perkins to backup Matthew Stafford.
Kyle Sloter was among the USFL’s top passers (yardage-wise anyway; second in the league) as quarterback of the New Orleans Breakers. He has been well-traveled in the NFL, including a stint with the Lions in 2019, without ever seeing a regular season snap. After a visit and workout, he can now put a pin in Jacksonville on the map of his NFL journey.
Jordan Ta’amu spent to time with Lions in 2020 and 2021, and he may find a new NFL opportunity too after leading the USFL in passing yards (2,014), passing touchdowns (14) and attempts (302) running former NFL head coach Todd Haley’s offense as the Tampa Bay Bandits’ signal caller. In his case specifically, it’s worth wondering if the Lions will want to take another look at him during camp.
Want your voice heard? Join the SideLion Report team!