Kyle Allen Could Be the Steady Hand the Lions Have Been Missing at Backup QB
For a team that’s built a reputation on grit and growth under Dan Campbell, the Detroit Lions have quietly had one lingering blind spot: backup quarterback. It’s been a revolving door for years, with short-term fixes and third-stringers stepping in and stepping out. But after a surprisingly solid year from Kyle Allen, Detroit might finally have a guy worth sticking with.
Let’s break it down - what Allen brought to the table in 2025, why he may be worth keeping around in 2026, and where the Lions go from here.
The Backup QB Carousel in Detroit
Since Campbell took over, the Lions haven’t had much continuity behind Jared Goff. Teddy Bridgewater was the longest-tenured backup under Campbell, and even that came with an asterisk - he didn’t rejoin the team for his second year until after coaching high school football. Before that, it was more of the same: one-year stints, short-term solutions, and no real long-term plan behind center.
You’d have to go back to Dan Orlovsky (2014-2016) or Shaun Hill (2010-2013) to find any real consistency at QB2 for Detroit. That’s a long time to go without a steady presence behind your starter.
Enter Kyle Allen
When Detroit brought in Allen on a one-year, $1.27 million deal, the expectation was pretty clear: he was there to push Hendon Hooker, not necessarily to win the job. Hooker, a former third-round pick, was entering his second training camp after a rookie season largely lost to injury. The team had faith in Hooker’s upside, but they weren’t going to hand him anything.
Allen, meanwhile, came in with the resume of a journeyman - a guy who’d bounced around the league and was widely projected as a third-stringer or a practice squad stash. But he didn’t play like one.
Training Camp Surprise
Allen didn’t just show up - he showed out. While Hooker struggled to find his rhythm, Allen looked sharp in preseason action and, more importantly, protected the football.
That was enough to win him the backup job outright. The Lions made a statement by cutting Hooker and rolling with just two quarterbacks on the active roster, later adding C.J.
Beathard to the practice squad as QB3.
Allen didn’t log much playing time - just 16 offensive snaps across three games, all in garbage time - but he held the clipboard with purpose. He was ready, reliable, and earned the trust of the coaching staff.
His numbers? Minimal.
He went 0-for-2 passing, had three carries for -3 yards, and didn’t start a game. But the PFF grades tell a more nuanced story: a 73.7 overall offensive grade, with a 73.0 in passing.
Those aren’t eye-popping, but they’re solid - especially for a guy who was expected to be an afterthought.
Why Re-Signing Allen Makes Sense
Cost-effective stability. Allen isn’t going to break the bank. He’s likely looking at a modest raise - maybe in the $1.5 to $1.75 million range for 2026 - and that’s a small price to pay for a veteran who knows the system and has shown he can step in if needed.
**Locker room value. ** Allen’s been around the league.
He knows how to prepare, how to support a starter, and how to break down film. With Detroit transitioning to a new offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing, having a QB room that’s experienced and cohesive will be key.
Allen can help bridge that gap alongside Goff.
Trade potential. If Allen impresses again in preseason, and the Lions are confident in their third-string option, he could even become a trade chip. It’s not the primary reason to keep him, but it’s a nice bonus.
The Flip Side
Could Detroit find a better backup? Sure.
There are veterans out there - think Joe Flacco types - who might offer more upside or experience. But they’ll also cost more.
And unless the Lions are looking to spend significantly at QB2, it’s tough to justify moving on from Allen, especially when he’s already earned the trust of the staff.
Where Do Both Sides Stand?
There’s no reason to think the Lions wouldn’t want Allen back. He outperformed expectations, beat out a drafted player, and fit well into the team’s culture.
From Allen’s perspective, Detroit gave him a real shot - and he made the most of it. He’s not chasing a starting job at this point in his career, so a return to a stable situation makes sense.
Final Take
The Lions need consistency behind Jared Goff - not just for insurance, but for continuity in the quarterback room. Kyle Allen isn’t going to win headlines, but he might just be the steady, reliable presence Detroit has lacked for over a decade at the backup spot.
Bringing him back in 2026? That feels like a no-brainer.