Alan Park - The Lions checked another item off the team's off-season shopping list, re-secured backup quarterback Tim Boyle with a one-year, $2 million contract.
Initially signed by the Lions last March after spending his first three years at Green Bay, Boyle missed the first half of the season with a broken thumb.
He returned in Week 11 to start his career against the Cleveland Browns. He would start two more games at the end of the year while Goff battled COVID and a knee injury.
"I think you're looking for a guy in that (backup quarterback) position who can advance the offense," Lions coach Dan Campbell told the Scouting Combine last month. "It's more than anything, hey, he's not going to do anything that hurt this team or hurt your offense, and he can act and he'll give you run checks, things of that nature." is going to get in the right game along..
"...we just need to make sure this guy can rock it, move the ball, move his offense," Campbell said. "I think that's what you're looking for, no more no less."
Boyle completed 64.9% of his passes last season for 526 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions.
"A lot of things that don't show up in the Tim State column," former offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said in January. "He outperforms everyone around him. ... His arm talent has always been there. His accuracy was good at times. Yes, he threw some interceptions, (he) lacked experience. This young man The more he plays, the better he gets. We're lucky to have him as our backup right now because if something happens to Jared, we know this guy can step up and he can play. Yes, he made some mistakes, but this is the type of player who learns from his mistakes and gets better."
The re-signing of Boyle does not necessarily prevent the Lions from taking the quarterback in the draft. The team made three QBs on the roster last year, with David Blow as the third-string substitute after Goff and Boyle.
Detroit is not expected to consider a quarterback with a No. 2 pick, but a No. 32 pick at the end of the first round or a No. 34 pick in the second.