Lions Could Pass on Next Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady

Anthony Richardson has set lofty goals for his NFL career.

The Detroit Lions could be in the market to draft a quarterback, even with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Lions head coach Dan Campbell, speaking with CBS Sports, expressed the team may still target a signal-caller, despite how well veteran Jared Goff played throughout the course of the 2022 season.  

Campbell indicated he and general manager Brad Holmes regularly debate when and what round is best for the team to select a quarterback in the draft. 

“What he’s done is, and what we were hopeful and thought we were going to get, is a guy who, he’s our guy,” Campbell expressed. “He’s bought us time here. We believe we can win with Jared Goff. And, in the meantime, we also know he’s not going to be here for the next 10 years. It’s not like Jared Goff is a rookie. So, certainly our eyes are on potentially a quarterback.

“The question is where do you acquire that at? And, that’s something that Brad and I kick around all the time," Campbell continued. "But, we don’t feel like we’re pressed right now. We don’t feel like we’re pressed, but that doesn’t mean our eyes aren’t on a quarterback.”

Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson / © Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

One of the quarterbacks who the team likely has its eye on is Anthony Richardson, out of Florida. 

Speaking with reporters Friday, the talented quarterback set some pretty lofty goals for himself. 

"I want to be a legend. I want to be like Patrick Mahomes. I want to be like Tom Brady. I want to be one of the greats. I will be one of the greats, because I’m willing to work that hard to get to that point," Richardson said. "So, to answer your question, I feel like I’m going to be one of the greats in the next few years."

Holmes expressed he and the front office are working diligently to avoid having to target backups late in the process. 

Recall, the team added Nate Sudfeld just prior to the start of last season, after cutting Tim Boyle and David Blough.

"I gotta do a better job of making sure that we're not in that position again," Holmes said. "So, that is something that we're gonna need to address, whether it's here in free agency or upcoming in the draft. That's something that we've had a lot of conversations about. I gotta do a better job of making sure we get that rectified."

With immediate needs on defense, the team could also target two defensive players early in this year's draft. 

Many pundits now believe Richardson will not be available for the Lions at No. 18, forcing the front office to make a tough choice. 

The organization has already passed on Mahomes and Brady. 

Could it afford to do the same with Richardson?