By Blessing 
Did the Perfect Quarterback Just Fall Into the Lions’ Lap?
As the Detroit Lions gear up for what they hope is a breakout 2025 season, most of the pieces are falling into place. The offense remains one of the NFL’s most electric, and while there are still questions on defense—particularly finding someone to consistently complement Aidan Hutchinson off the edge—the team looks solid overall.
Still, there’s one position that could quietly become a concern: quarterback depth.
With Jared Goff returning as the unquestioned starter and coming off an MVP-caliber season, the Lions’ quarterback room looks strong at the top. But take a step beyond Goff, and the picture gets murkier. Behind him are Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen—two players who have yet to show they can carry a playoff-caliber team if called upon in a crisis.
Hooker, a promising young talent, has yet to earn full trust from the coaching staff. Last season, when Goff went down briefly, it wasn’t Hooker or Allen who took the field—it was veteran Teddy Bridgewater, who had already announced his retirement. That move signaled that the team wasn’t entirely confident in the backups, and that’s something they may want to address before it becomes a real problem.
Enter Bryce Perkins.
The Lions might just have an opportunity to add a capable, experienced quarterback to the roster—and at a bargain, too. Perkins, most recently the quarterback for the Michigan Panthers in the UFL, just wrapped up a standout season. He’s not an NFL superstar, but he might be exactly what Detroit needs in a backup role.
Perkins made a name for himself this UFL season, earning the league’s Most Valuable Player award despite missing three games due to injury. In just seven starts, he completed 69% of his passes, racking up 1,342 yards and nine touchdowns through the air. He also added five rushing touchdowns, showing off his mobility and ability to extend plays—something that’s become increasingly valuable in today’s NFL.
He’s not a stranger to the big stage either. Perkins was a member of the Los Angeles Rams during their 2021 Super Bowl-winning season. More importantly for Detroit fans, he already has experience playing in Ford Field, thanks to his time with the Michigan Panthers.
Of course, there are always questions when bringing in talent from an alternate league like the UFL. But if the Lions are looking for a low-risk, potentially high-reward move, Perkins checks a lot of boxes. He’s familiar with NFL systems, has recent game experience, and could likely be signed without putting a dent in the salary cap.
This wouldn’t be the first time Detroit dipped into the UFL talent pool either—and with success. Just last year, they picked up kicker Jake Bates from the Panthers, and he quickly made his presence known with a game-winning performance against the Houston Texans. Bates drilled a crucial field goal to tie the game and then nailed the winner, helping seal a 26–23 victory.
“I put them a little too close to the post for comfort, but luckily they went in,” Bates said during an interview with NBC via Fox Sports. It was a clutch moment, and Bates added a heartfelt sentiment that resonated with fans: “I think it just shows how good the Lord is. He’s so faithful. My story is, if anything, I just hope people can see Jesus through my story. I mean that’s what I think I’m here to do. Not make or miss or be a good kicker or bad kicker but spread the love of Jesus.”
If Bates could come in and make that kind of impact, why not give another Panthers standout a shot?
With Goff healthy, the Lions don’t need a quarterback to come in and compete for the starting job. But they do need insurance. The NFL season is long and brutal, and all it takes is one injury to derail everything. If disaster were to strike, would Hooker or Allen be ready to step up and lead this team?
That’s the uncomfortable question Detroit needs to ask—and answer—before it’s too late.
Bryce Perkins might not be a household name, but he has the tools, the experience, and the momentum coming off an MVP season. He wouldn’t cost the team much, and with a little development under the Lions’ coaching staff, he could become one of the smarter signings of the offseason.
Sometimes the best moves are the ones that fall right into your lap. The Lions just have to reach out and take it.