We have our first true stunner from the Lions at the roster cutdown period. Reports indicate the Lions are releasing backup quarterback Mate Sudfeld.
Source: The #Lions are releasing QB Nate Sudfeld, who has spent plenty of time as No. 2 QB. Now, it appears it’s Hendon Hooker who has won the job.
Sudfeld has impressed plenty in practice (without a ton of game reps) and will find his way into a practice squad, at the least.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 27, 2024
Sudfeld has been thr No. 2 QB behind Jared Goff all offseason, taking most of the reps ahead of Hendon Hooker. Sudfeld sat out the final preseason game, a move that was widely interpeted as Sudfeld guaranteed to make the 53-man Lions roster.
Instead, Hooker appears to have won the No. 2 QB job. The second-year QB had an up-and-down training camp and preseason but shows far higher potential than Sudfeld.
There is a chance Sudfeld retruns after the roster cutdowns.