The Detroit Lions are barely into training camp, and already the quarterback depth chart is looking wild. With Teddy Bridgewater’s retirement, the backup QB spot was supposed to be Josh Dobbs’ to lose. But hold up, because rookie Luke Altmyer is straight up turning heads, making this competition far more interesting than anyone expected for the Week 2 bubble watch. This isn’t just a quiet competition, it’s getting heated, with staffers already split on who deserves the spot behind Jared Goff.
The QB Room Is Getting Spicy
Most of us figured veteran Josh Dobbs was a lock for the backup job, pulling in nine “IN” votes from the staff. But then there’s Luke Altmyer, who’s not only earned four votes himself but has seen a massive jump in consideration. One staffer, Erik Schlitt, is making a bold call, picking Altmyer to win the battle outright. The other three votes for Altmyer are coming from those who think the Lions should keep three quarterbacks on the active roster. Altmyer has absolutely done enough to warrant serious consideration, and his performance in preseason games is gonna be the biggest factor in determining his future. This is exactly the kind of unexpected drama that makes training camp so much fun. Who saw this coming?
Injuries Are Wreaking Havoc on the Skill Positions
It’s not just the QB room that’s got everyone guessing, though. The running back depth has taken a hit, with Sione Vaki getting downgraded from “assumed in” to “on the bubble” after suffering a broken nose and a poked eye. Yikes! Nobody’s ready to put him on the short-term IR yet, but it’s definitely a setback. Now the big debate is whether the Lions will even carry a fourth running back, though nine out of eleven staffers believe they will. If they do, Jacob Saylors is the clear favorite over Jabari Small, who currently has zero votes. Over at tight end, it’s been an absolute injury fest. Miles Kitselman and Anthony Firkser are both already on IR. Sam LaPorta is still working his way back, and Tyler Conklin is just now seeing the field for the first time. Jackson Meeks, however, is making the most of his opportunities, jumping up five votes, while Thomas Gordon is new to the bubble watch with zero votes. Talk about an uphill battle for depth!
The WR5/6 Battle: A Total Toss-Up
Man, the competition for the fifth and sixth wide receiver spots is seriously heating up. Cedrick Wilson Jr. started camp strong, but he’s cooled off a bit and is currently sidelined with an unknown absence, dropping his “IN” votes by three to seven. Dominic Lovett, on the other hand, is doing the exact opposite. He started with some struggles, but he’s been coming on hard in recent practices, especially with increased opportunities, picking up four more votes for a total of six. Tom Kennedy is hanging tough with zero votes. The staff is practically split down the middle here: four have Lovett over Wilson, five have Wilson over Lovett, and two staffers are pushing for the Lions to keep both, meaning a whopping six total receivers. This whole thing feels like it’s going down to the wire. Every rep, every catch, it all matters right now.
The Lions have got some tough decisions ahead. With preseason games on the horizon, we’ll see if Altmyer can solidify his case, if Vaki can get healthy, and how the WR room shakes out. Keep your eyes peeled, because these bubble battles are just getting started!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
Leave a Reply