One of the more heated Detroit Lions roster battles entering the final week of preseason is at a spot where the Lions hope the winner never sees the field. The backup quarterback position is up for grabs behind starter Jared Goff, with David Blough and Tim Boyle dueling for the job.
Both were on the roster behind Goff a year ago, with Boyle serving as the primary backup. The team re-signed both this offseason with hopes that continuity and coaching would help. Neither player has stepped up to seize the job, but each has done just enough to be considered the better option.
Even head coach Dan Campbell doesn’t know who will win the job just yet.
“No, I think it’s neck-and-neck,” Campbell said on Monday when asked if anyone was leading the backup QB competition. Campbell added that he expects Boyle to get the start in Sunday’s preseason finale in Pittsburgh.
Blough started in the Week 2 preseason victory over the Colts, but he did not do much. He completed 16 of his 22 pass attempts but netted just 76 yards and threw a bad interception to offset a touchdown. Boyle played the second half and totaled 99 yards and a touchdown on 12-for-15 passing. Tom Kennedy caught both TD passes.
Boyle’s underwhelming play in the 2021 regular season (3 TDs, 6 INTs, 5.6 YPA in three starts) opened the door for Blough, who has been in Detroit since 2019. While Blough has proved to be more accurate and consistent, he also has not shaken his propensity to make critical mistakes. His fumble in the preseason opener directly led to the Falcons’ comeback win.
What makes the stakes even higher is the possibility that the Lions will only keep two QBs on the active roster instead of three. Campbell has hinted Detroit will keep just two, which means the loser of the backup QB derby could be out of a job.
