The details of quarterback Nate Sudfeld’s new contract are now in, and the Lions locked up their No. 3 quarterback with an interesting deal.
Sudfeld, who spent all of 2023 on the Lions’ injured reserve, is back in Detroit on a one-year deal worth $1.21 million, per Spotrac. That’s a pretty inexpensive deal, but it’s one that comes with some extra security built in for Sudfeld.
The Lions guaranteed $300,000 of the deal, which is considerably more than an undrafted rookie or late-round draft pick would get as a guaranteed figure. With Detroit already set at starter with Jared Goff and Hendon Hooker entrenched as Goff’s backup, paying $300,000 to Sudfeld despite the veteran having no realistic chance to ever be active for a regular-season game is a pretty rich commitment.
The long and short of it: Sudfeld might never suit up after the preseason and could spend the 2024 season on the practice squad, but that has value enough for the Lions to merit the contract. And it should effectively preclude nay more moves at quarterback this offseason, barring injury need.
