Tag: Jake Fromm

Former Georgia football QB signs with Detroit Lions

Former Georgia Bulldogs starting quarterback Jake Fromm signs deal with the Detroit Lions

Former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm has signed a reserve/futures contract with the Detroit Lions. Fromm spent the 2024 NFL season on the Lions’ practice squad.

Fromm and the Lions finished the 2024 NFL regular season with the best record in the NFC. The Lions lost to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round and were eliminated from the playoffs.

Detroit still has a promising future. The Lions have starting quarterback Jared Goff under contract for the 2025 NFL season. Detroit also returns quarterback Hendon Hooker, but backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason.

“Blessed to have another year in this league,” said Fromm via social media.  “Thankful to be in Detroit and can’t wait to run it back next year!”

Fromm will compete to be the Lions’ backup quarterback. The former UGA quarterback had played with the Washington Commanders before they released Fromm in May 2024.

The Buffalo Bills drafted Fromm in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft, but Fromm spent one year in Buffalo; the Bills released Fromm ahead of the 2021 season.

Fromm ended up spending the 2021 season with the New York Giants and he started a couple of games for New York in 2021. Fromm posted modest numbers with the Giants. Following his time with the Giants, Fromm spent the majority of his time on Washington’s practice squad from 2022-2024.

Lions announce 11 players signed to futures contracts

The Lions signed 11 players from their season-ending practice squad to future/reserve contracts on Monday

The Lions announced 11 players were signed to futures contracts Monday.

The following players were given such contracts:

  • Abraham Beauplan
  • Kingsley Eguakun
  • Jake Fromm
  • Daron Gilbert
  • Erick Hallett
  • Jamarco Jones
  • Tom Kennedy
  • Chris Smith
  • Loren Strickland
  • Stantley Thomas-Oliver
  • Issac Ukwu

Futures contracts are given to players not on a team’s active roster. They are typically for the minimum amount and are given to players fighting for a roster spot in training camp.

All 11 players here finished the season on the Lions’ practice squad. These contracts ensure they’ll be with the Lions during the offseason.

The contracts and the salary cap charges that come with them won’t take effect until the new league year begins on March 12. This is a way for the Lions to accrue players towards their 90-man roster limit during the offseason that they feel could at least compete for a roster spot next season.

Gunner Stockton’s situation is similar to Jake Fromm’s first start

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck’s injury creates a similar situation to Jake Fromm’s first career start against Notre Dame

With Georgia football quarterback Carson Beck’s injury, it looks like Gunner Stockton will be the Bulldogs’ starter

Georgia’s current quarterback situation reminds everyone of the quarterback situation in 2017 when starter Jacob Eason went down with a knee sprain. Freshman quarterback Jake Fromm stepped into the starter role for the first time in his career in a huge road game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Entering this game, Fromm had any minimal meaningful playing time in the college football. Fromm helped the Bulldogs seal the 20-19 win over the Fighting Irish going 16 of 29 for 141 yards and one touchdown to win his starting debut. That win helped ignite a season of destiny and UGA went all the way up to the national championship game in Fromm’s freshman campaign.

Stockton and Fromm are in similar situations where they both never had starting experience and facing a tough opponent in Notre Dame.

Fortunately, Stockton has been apart the program for three years, so he is not going into the game with trying to learn the playbook. Instead, he is going to have a few new wrinkles into the offense, but nothing that will be out of the ordinary for the redshirt sophomore outside of the fact that it is his first career start.

Lions GM explains why all QBs should throw at the NFL Scouting Combine

Lions GM Brad Holmes explains why all QBs should throw at the NFL Scouting Combine, giving a great example from Detroit’s roster in 2024

It’s become commonplace for quarterbacks to elect not to throw at the annual NFL Scouting Combine. The quarterbacks, and their representatives, don’t want to risk looking inaccurate by throwing to unfamiliar targets, making throws they don’t normally attempt to different types of receivers they just met before the drills.

However, at least one prominent NFL decision-maker thinks they should take advantage of the opportunity.

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes brought up how impressive it can be when a quarterback does compete in the less controlled environment of the combine. Holmes brought it up in the context of Jake Fromm, a quarterback who earned his way onto the Lions practice squad by virtue of a two-drive performance at the end of the final preseason game.

Fromm, a fifth-round pick in 2020 out of Georgia, has bounced around in his young NFL career. He looked ready to bounce out of Detroit too. Brought into Lions camp only when Hendon Hooker suffered a concussion in the first preseason game, Fromm didn’t get a single rep in practice the entire week leading into Detroit’s preseason finale against Pittsburgh. In over two weeks of practices and training camp after signing, Fromm didn’t get more than 20 total snaps in team drills.

He wasn’t even expected to play, but Fromm took over and seized his moment. He was poised, accurate and confident despite the extremely limited preparation. That impressed Holmes and the Lions–enough that they opted to cut veteran Nate Sudfeld and keep Fromm on the practice squad instead as the third QB, behind Jared Goff and Hooker.

Holmes expounded upon how impressive that small glimpse can be, and why quarterbacks should try and prove themselves at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“I guess the best thing I can say is — and I tell young kids all the time, the kids at the combine, speaking to the quarterbacks, some guys, they don’t want to throw,” Holmes said in his end-of-summer press conference. “They don’t want to work out because they’re not working with their guys. They want to wait until their orchestrated pro day and all that. And same with all-star games, to an extent, too. But when a quarterback can go out there and operate and be accurate for guys that he has not been working with, that’s impressive.”

 

Former Georgia quarterback released by the Detroit Lions

Former Georgia Bulldog quarterback released by Lions in final round of roster cuts.

The Detroit Lions have released former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm ahead of the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline.

Fromm has had quite the eventful summer. In May, he was released by the Washington Commanders practice squad, but he was signed by the Lions at the beginning of training camp to compete with Nate Sudfeld and former Tennessee Volunteer Hendon Hooker for the backup QB spots.

Similar to other former Georgia Bulldog cuts such as Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards, he had some strong moments in the preseason, but not enough to beat Hooker for the backup quarterback spot behind Jared Goff, so the Lions released him.

Fromm will try to catch on with another team and potentially be an emergency starter. He was for the Giants in 2021. When Daniel Jones was injured and Mike Glennon was ineffective, former head coach Joe Judge called on Fromm to start a few games. Through 2021, he completed 27 of 60 passes with 210 yards passing, one touchdown, three interceptions and a 38.9 passer rating.

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While at UGA, he started three seasons, racking up 8,224 passing yards, 78 touchdowns and 18 interceptions for a 156.1 college passer rating. He led the team to the 2017 national championship game, in which it suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Predicting the Detroit Lions initial practice squad

Predicting the Detroit Lions initial practice squad, which gets formed after 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday

One of the duties for the Detroit Lions and GM Brad Holmes is to assemble the team’s practice squad. Roster cutdowns to the initial 53-man roster left the Lions with only 52 players, so that complicates predicting who all makes Detroit’s initial practice squad.

The Lions are allowed up to 16 players on the practice squad. Six of those can be veterans with at least four years of experience, players who were not subject to waivers after the roster cutdowns.

We already know one of those six will be former Broncos WR Tim Patrick. At least four vets the Lions released on Tuesday make great candidates to return:

DT Kyle Peko

DL Pat O’Connor

LB Ty Summers

OT Jamarco Jones

That would leave one opening for a veteran who wasn’t with the Lions during the preseason. It could also be where QB Nate Sudfeld fits if the Lions want him back in the building, or another LB like Abraham Beauplan or Joel Iyiegbuniwe. I don’t see Donovan Peoples-Jones or Daurice Fountain returning, though the latter does have some potential to join the Lions practice squad.

Barring waiver claims from another team, which tend to pluck a little less than one player per team on average, here are the 10 younger players the Lions figure to focus on keeping on the practice squad:

OLB Mitchell Agude

WR/RS Maurice Alexander

OL Jake Burton

OL Kingsley Eguakun

QB Jake Fromm

RB Jermar Jefferson

WR Tom Kennedy

DL Chris Smith

EDGE Isaac Ukwu

TE Shane Zylstra

Fromm is an interesting one, because if the Lions bring Sudfeld back in any capacity, it makes no sense to also use a spot on Fromm. But the way head coach Dan Campbell talked about Fromm after his highly impressive preseason outing, the door appears open to keeping the younger QB with demonstrated better composure and accuracy.

The Lions also have a decision to make at running back. Jefferson, Zonovan Knight and Jake Funk all are worthy of keeping on the practice squad, but it’s difficult to see them keeping more than one. Jefferson gets the tentative nod based on his longevity.

Given all the tight ends waived around the league on Tuesday, I do expect Zylstra to clear waivers and return to Detroit. Cornerback Steven Gilmore could be back, too.

Jake Fromm impresses in his unexpected Lions debut

Recently signed QB Jake Fromm impresses everyone, notably Detroit head coach Dan Campbell, in his unexpected Lions debut

Jake Fromm wasn’t supposed to play in the Detroit Lions preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Dan Campbell said as much in his final press conference of the week.

Heck, Fromm didn’t take a single snap in either practice leading into the game. Brought in as a camp arm to provide reps while Hendon Hooker was sidelined with a concussion after the first preseason game, Fromm got precious little action in practices once Hooker quickly returned.

So it was a little surprising when Fromm, wearing No. 18, trotted onto the field in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s exhibition. With the outcome still up for grabs, Fromm calmly, efficiently iced the game into a sweet victory for the Lions in his two drives.

Fromm played well, no doubt about it. Given the scant prep, the practice squad refugee from several other teams looked great. Fromm completed 6-of-8 passes for 89 yards, leading the Lions to a touchdown drive and into victory formation at the end.

Campbell, who had all but ruled out Fromm during the week, seemed quite happy that he gave the Georgia alum a chance.

“Man, I like Fromm,” Campbell said after the game. “The kid can play a little ball. There’s something about him. He understands where his answers are at, what to do with the football.”

Campbell continued, noting his antenna was up for No. 18.

“I see him. So, what does that mean? I don’t quite know yet, but I know this is that he’s intriguing,” Campbell stated. He’s got a little football player in him.”

To echo Campbell’s question, what does that mean for Fromm in Detroit?

We’ll find out Tuesday, but it sure looks and sounds like Fromm might have played his way onto the Lions’ practice squad.

Don’t expect Jake Fromm to play for the Lions vs. the Steelers

Don’t expect reserve QB Jake Fromm to play for the Lions vs. the Steelers, according to Detroit head coach Dan Campbell

When Lions reserve QB Hendon Hooker was sidelined with a concussion after Detroit’s first preseason game, the team desperately needed another quarterback to throw in practice. The Lions found that man in Jake Fromm, and signed the 2020 fifth-round pick out of Georgia to a one-year, minimum salary contract.

In short, Fromm was brought in to be a camp arm and insurance if Hooker’s brain injury kept him out into the second preseason game. Hooker returned, however, and since No. 2 came back, Fromm has not sniffed the practice field.

According to Lions head coach Dan Campbell, don’t expect that to change for Fromm in the Lions final exhibition game. It will be the Hooker and Sudfeld show at quarterback against the Steelers.

“That’s tough because we haven’t really gotten to see much of him,” Campbell said before Wednesday’s final full-speed practice before roster cutdowns next week. “When we brought (Fromm) in, it was dependent on when (Hendon) Hooker can or can’t come back, ‘How much can we get him?’ And so, I don’t anticipate really getting to see him.”

Fromm didn’t take a single rep in either practice during the week, or in the final practice before the Lions headed to Kansas City, the first one with Hooker cleared from the concussion protocol. In Wednesday’s scrimmage session, Fromm only ran on his own on the unused field and caught the ball for long snappers while they warmed up.

“I don’t want to say absolutely not, but I think the priority will be Hooker and I think we need to get Nate (Sudfeld) some reps and then we’ll see what’s there with Fromm,” Campbell explained.

These are the first throws from Fromm in a Lions uniform, for those craving to see the journeyman in a little bit of action in the Honolulu Blue:

 

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Lions sign a new quarterback, waive Antoine Green with an injury

Lions sign veteran QB Jake Fromm and LB Ty Summers, waive Antoine Green with an injury

The Detroit Lions have made a necessary addition at quarterback in advance of Monday night’s practice session. With Hendon Hooker sidelined with a concussion suffered in the preseason opener, the Lions have added Jake Fromm in a series of roster moves.

Fromm was a fifth-round pick out of Georgia in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. He has only played in three games, bouncing to the New York Giants in the 2021 season. In two starts, Fromm threw one touchdown and three interceptions, including a pick-six. He was last with the Washington Commanders.

The other roster addition is linebacker Ty Summers, who has bounced around the NFL since 2019. Summer was most recently with the New Orleans Saints, playing in 15 games–exclusively on special teams.

In other moves, the Lions waived second-year wide receiver Antoine Green. The 2023 seventh-round pick from North Carolina suffered a brain injury in the preseason opener.

Detroit also released veteran OL Ike Boettger.

Former Georgia football QB signs with Detroit Lions

Former Georgia Bulldogs starting quarterback signs with the Detroit Lions ahead of 2024 NFL season

Former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm has signed with the Detroit Lions. Fromm previously tried out for the Green Bay Packers this offseason, but did not land a deal with Green Bay.

Now, he has found a new home with the Lions. Fromm most recently played with the Washington Commanders before they released Fromm in May 2024.

The Buffalo Bills drafted Fromm in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Fromm spent the 2020 NFL season in Buffalo. The Bills released Fromm ahead of the 2021 season.

Fromm ended up with the New York Giants, with whom he started a couple of games in 2021, but he posted modest numbers with New York. After his time with the Giants, Fromm spent the majority of his time at Washington on the practice squad from 2022-2024.

He is primarily a practice squad candidate for the Detroit. The Lions have Jared Goff, Nate Sudfeld and Hendon Hooker as their other three quarterbacks. Fromm can beat Sudfled for a roster spot after his rough preseason outing.

“It (the Lions’ preseason opener against the New York Giants) was a disappointing day for the Lions’ backup quarterback situation,” said Zack Moran of Lions Wire. “Despite a strong camp that had positioned him as the frontrunner for the QB2 spot over Hendon Hooker, Sudfeld’s performance against the Giants did not reflect his earlier success.”

The Lions announced the signing of Jake Fromm and other corresponding moves via social media.

Fromm is one of over 60 Georgia Bulldogs on NFL rosters. He is one of a few former Georgia quarterbacks looking to stick on a roster this preseason.