Tag: Nate Sudfeld

NFL free agency: Rumors and reports on the remaining Lions on the market

NFL free agency: Rumors and reports concerning the Lions from 2022 who remain available in free agency

The Detroit Lions currently have 13 unrestricted free agents that are free to sign with other teams.

As news floods in about all of the trades, signings, and visits around the league, it’s hard to keep track of where these former Lions are headed next.

EDGE Austin Bryant‘s name has not appeared in any headlines as of yet. The 2019 fourth-round pick was benched last season in favor of Julian Okwara and rookie James Houston.

Wide receiver DJ Chark has drawn interest from several teams, including the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Carolina Panthers. While he is still expected to test the market, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported that there is a chance that Chark returns as a Lion in 2023.

Cornerback Mike Hughes is reported to have a visit scheduled with the Atlanta Falcons. The versatile cornerback had six starts for the Lions at both the outside and nickel positions.

Running back Justin Jackson has not garnered any interest so far in free agency. He did well as Detroit’s third running back last season.

Offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer is another exclusive-rights free agent who the Lions opted not to bring back. He was sidelined with a back injury for the entirety of the 2022 season, so his health may be a factor into why he has not re-signed. As an undrafted rookie in 2021, he provided reliable depth for the interior offensive line.

Safety C.J. Moore excitedly rejoined the Lions mid-season after spending some time with the Houston Texans. He was the heart and soul of Detroit’s special teams unit and will likely be looking for that role elsewhere. He recently met with the New England Patriots, who recent signed fellow former Lions special teamer Chris Board.

Cornerback Amani Oruwariye was once thought to be a sure starter for the Lions. Instead, he rode the bench for most of 2022 and entered free agency without any suitors. He has not been linked to any teams yet in free agency.

Cornerback Bobby Price was not tendered as a restricted free agent and is now free to sign with any team. He suffered a knee injury in 2022 and will likely need to wait until he’s cleared before signing with a team. Birkett also reported that Price will be in the Detroit area for a checkup on his knee.

Quarterback Nate Sudfeld was the lone backup for Jared Goff last season and now will test the free agent market. He also has no noteworthy news so far in free agency.

Offensive lineman Dan Skipper was a feel-good story for the Lions as he performed well as a starter in place of the injured Jonah Jackson. He is yet another free agent in Detroit who has not met with any teams in the past few days.

Linebacker Josh Woods was a team captain and special teams ace last season. He has no ties to any other teams at this time.

 

 

Lions GM Brad Holmes knows he’s ‘got to do a better job’ at getting a backup QB

Lions GM Brad Holmes knows he’s “got to do a better job” at getting a backup QB behind starter Jared Goff

It’s always refreshing to hear a person in a position of power acknowledge when they’ve made a specific mistake. It can be a learning experience and wind up leading to bigger and better future outcomes.

That’s the hope with Lions GM Brad Holmes and his handling of the backup QB position during his two seasons in Detroit. Holmes owned up to not doing a good job in that area in 2022 and won’t make the same mistake again in 2023.

During his press conference at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, Holmes addressed the Lions’ glaring need for a No. 2 quarterback behind Jared Goff, who is firmly, unquestionably entrenched as the team’s starting QB. Goff is the only quarterback under contract in Detroit right now.

“I feel like last year we kind of left training camp kind of sliding into home plate trying to fill that backup quarterback role, and that’s on me,” Holmes said Wednesday. “I’ve got to do a better job of making sure that we’re not in that position again, so that is something that we’re going to need to address, whether it’s here in free agency or upcoming in the draft. But that’s something that we’ve had a lot of conversations about, but I’ve got to do a better job of making sure we get that rectified.”

The situation Holmes is referring to was the process of picking up Nate Sudfeld after roster cutdowns when the Lions dumped David Blough and cut Tim Boyle, the two players behind Goff in 2021 and for the summer of ’22.

Detroit dodged the proverbial bullet by having Goff stay healthy throughout the 2022 season. When Goff missed time in 2021 with an injury, Boyle took over and did not play well in three losses, throwing six interceptions against just three touchdowns.

Holmes wouldn’t bite on specific details of how he will address the spot(s) behind Goff, despite several inquisitions. He did not exactly close the door on using an early draft pick to find one, though Holmes was quite noncommital about where he might find the new backup(s).

“So again, we got to make sure that we address everything again, whether it’s free agency and through the draft. But yeah, it could very well be through the draft. Don’t know what’s going to happen in free agency and not sure if some of those guys at the quarterback position in free agency might not be ready to make a decision at that point before the draft.”

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Lions final injury report for Week 14: 3 players ruled out

The Detroit Lions released their final injury report for their Week 14 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings and will be without 3 players.

Ahead of the Detroit Lions matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14, the Lions have released their final injury report with three players ruled out.

Guard Kayode Awosika, LB Derrick Barnes, and CB Chase Lucas have been ruled out, and guard Evan Brown is listed as doubtful. With Awosika out and Brown likely not suiting up, the Lions are likely to lean on Dan Skipper, who has filled that spot in the past.

Barnes has been stepping up as out and switching time with Malcolm Rodriguez, who was also mending an injury. As Barnes cannot go this week, Chris Board may see some extended time, along with Anthony Pittman.

Lucas showed up late injury report, which put his status on alert, and his designation confirmed that suspicion. He has been a key special teamer but hasn’t seen much time on defense. The Lions may bring in AJ Parker for nickel corner depth.

QB Nate Sudfield, WR Kalif Raymond, and CB Jeff Okudah were all labeled as questionable with an illness. Okudah and Raymond each had limited practice giving their status a much-needed boost against the Vikings. Sudfield did not practice, so possible see a call-up for new addition Joshua Dobbs from the practice squad.

Harris’ status is more concerning because he went from not listed to limited practice to no practice throughout the week. We will have to wait and see, but it does not bode well for his chances of suiting up this week. Mike Hughes may be the one who gets pushed inside in his stead.

LT Taylor Decker, S DeShon Elliott, C Frank Ragnow, RB D’Andre Swift, and RB Jamaal Williams all hit the injury list in the week, but all practiced in full on Friday and should see all of them on Sunday.

Watch: Detroit Lions Podcast breaks down the 53-man roster process

The Detroit Lions Podcast breaks down the 53-man roster process, the latest Hard Knocks, Benito Jones and more

The newest episode of the Detroit Lions Podcast featuring Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon is fresh and ready for watching or listening to.

This episode, recorded live on Wednesday night, breaks down the Lions initial 53-man roster and the process behind some of the more controversial choices and decisions. What happened with Jermar Jefferson, who initially made the roster but then got cut for waiver claim Benito Jones? How does Jones fit, and what’s going on with the injured Lions who haven’t been placed on reserve lists? Did the Lions do the right thing in dumping David Blough for newcomer Nate Sudfeld?

There is also a discussion on Hard Knocks and some concepts from the HBO behind-the-scenes documentary.

Former 49ers QB Nate Sudfeld to land with Lions

It didn’t take Nate Sudfeld long to find a new home after the 49ers released him.

The 49ers shakeup in the quarterback room that made Jimmy Garoppolo the backup and Brock Purdy the third QB left Nate Sudfeld without a job. San Francisco on Tuesday released the QB they signed for $2 million fully guaranteed this offseason. It didn’t take long for Sudfeld to find a new job though.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Wednesday reported Sudfeld was set to join the Detroit Lions as the backup behind starter Jared Goff.

Rapoport also said the 49ers and Lions discussed a trade for the veteran signal caller, but no deal materialized ahead of Tuesday’s cutdown deadline.

Sudfeld played well for San Francisco in the preseason, completing 26-of-38 throws for 254 yards with two touchdowns and one interception across the three preseason contests.

Had the 49ers not retained Garoppolo on a one-year restructured contract, it’s likely Sudfeld would’ve stayed with the club as either its backup or third QB. Instead he’ll spend the season with the Lions — the darlings from this year’s edition of Hard Knocks who could surprise some people and make a run at the NFC North.

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Lions to sign QB Nate Sudfeld

The Detroit Lions are signing former 49ers QB Nate Sudfeld to replace David Blough

Minutes after ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news that the Lions were releasing backup QB David Blough, counterpart Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network chimed in with who will replace Blough on the Lions roster. Per Rapoport, the Lions are signing former 49ers QB Nate Sudfeld.

Sudfeld, 28, is a veteran free to sign immediately and not subject to waiver claims. He has been in the NFL since 2016, when he was a sixth-round pick out of Indiana by Washington. He is best known for his years in Philadelphia (2017-2020) when he received his only regular season action. Sudfeld completed 25-of-37 passes for 188 yards, one TD and one INT in limited duty.

The 6-foot-6 Sudfeld was expendable in San Francisco when the 49ers opted to keep Jimmy Garoppolo as their No. 2 QB behind Trey Lance.

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Watch: Nate Sudfeld throws dart to JaMycal Hasty for TD

Can’t stop Nate Sudfeld/JaMycal Hasty.

The 49ers grabbed a lead on the first play of the fourth quarter Saturday in Minnesota. Quarterback Nate Sudfeld on a third-and-goal stepped up under pressure and threw a strike to running back JaMycal Hasty who’d run a good route out of the backfield. Sudfeld then hit wide receiver Danny Gray on the two-point conversion to give the 49ers a 14-7 lead.

Watch: Nate Sudfeld delivers deep TD strike to Ray-Ray McCloud

Watch: 49ers QB Nate Sudfeld throws a dime to WR Ray-Ray McCloud for 6.

The 49ers got an interception in the red zone and then needed one play to find the end zone. Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud was brought in to be a returner, but he’s had a nice camp at receiver and used a filthy move that dropped the Packers cornerback. That left him wide open and quarterback Nate Sudfeld dropped it in the bucket for an easy touchdown that put the 49ers up two scores.

Rich Eisen wishes the Washington Commanders ‘good luck’

Rich Eisen can only with the Commanders good luck after trading for Carson Wentz.

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The humor and directness of NFL Network’s Rich Eisen was on display when news broke of the Washington Commanders trading for Colts’ QB Carson Wentz. Here are a few quotes from Eisen, hosting his “Rich Eisen Show.”

“The second overall pick once upon a time is now a twice-traded QB and he is back in the NFC East. Wentz at Eagles, Eagles at Wentz, Hurts vs. Wentz will be fascinating. When Hurts plays Wentz can we have Nate Sudfeld flip the coin?”

“Just for old time sake, bench one of them in the fourth quarter (for Sudfeld)?”

Eisen spoke of Wentz being in the perfect place for himself with former coach Frank Reich. But those final two weeks, Wentz struggled and they soured on Wentz.

“The Colts giving up a first-rounder for Wentz to show up one year and not make the playoffs is just brutal. But I guess good on them (Colts) that they are getting out.”

Eisen spoke of when in Indianapolis for the NFL combine he actually heard a rumor that the Colts might go after Derek Carr, and now they have parted with Wentz.

“The Washington Commanders (pause), if you want to talk about what door No. 3 is. Door No. 1 was Aaron Rodgers, door No. 2 was Russell Wilson and this is definitely door No. 3 for them. Good luck to them.”

When asked if Tom Brady might come out of retirement to play for the Colts, without blinking Eisen responded, “You know one place Tom Brady is not going to go? To walk past Peyton Manning’s statue every day.”

“You (Washington) give up two threes (third-round picks) for that? Well, good luck with that. See what happens there. Your Taylor Heinicke upgrade? Carson Wentz everybody. ”

 

 

49ers had competition for QB Nate Sudfeld’s services

It turns out the #49ers may be content with Nate Sudfeld as their backup QB this year.

The 49ers on Thursday added quarterback Nate Sudfeld on a Reserve/Future contract, but they had to shell out some cash to keep the QB in the building. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the deal for Sudfeld was for one year and included a fully guaranteed $2 million with a chance to jump to $3 million.

This isn’t necessarily an indicator that Sudfeld is a lock for the backup QB job, but it’s a sign that San Francisco believes he’s in the running. Schefter’s report also said two other teams that believe Sudfeld has starter potential were in the running for his services.

It makes sense that the 49ers want Sudfeld in the building since he already knows Trey Lance and the offense. That would make this offseason at least a little easier for Lance and allow the 49ers’ QB to hit the ground running when the offseason program begins. If they believe he’s good enough to be a starting-caliber quarterback though, then their interest will likely go beyond the offseason.

After a couple years in the Jimmy Garoppolo era where poor play from the backup QB derailed their season, the club will probably want to avoid having a No. 2 signal caller incapable of stepping in and winning games. Sudfeld hasn’t had much chance to show what he’s capable of in games. He appeared in four games across three seasons with Philadelphia and completed 25-of-37 throws for 188 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He didn’t play at all for San Francisco last year while serving as the practice squad QB and backup for two games.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the Sudfeld addition is what it means for the 49ers’ backup QB search. There was some thought they might overpay some for a veteran backup to help Lance, but Sudfeld could check that box at just $2 million for the year. Ultimately the team’s faith in Sudfeld will be shown in how they operate at QB the rest of the offseason, but this early step is an indication that he may very well be Lance’s backup in 2022.

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