Ben Johnson Explains Two Areas Backup QBs Have Most Impact

Detroit Lions could look to a veteran to back up Jared Goff.

The Detroit Lions have admitted they have fallen short of finding a backup quarterback who can legitimately compete against Jared Goff and who has a realistic chance of keeping the train on the track, should the veteran go down with an injury. 

Speaking with a small group of reporters at the 2023 Scouting Combine, Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson shared what a backup quarterback should be proficient at on the field, if the opportunity arises.  

“When I look at a backup quarterback, the two areas that I start with are third down and two-minute offense, because that's where they really have the most impact. Base downs, you normally, I think you can mask them to a degree with the running game or the play-action pass," said Johnson, via the Free Press. "But, if you want to see the true character, the true identity of a backup quarterback, it's those third downs and the two-minutes, to know if the game’s on the line, do they have that ability to ultimately win it for you?"

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson :: © Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

With free agency just around the corner, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes has the opportunity to find a veteran to bring in to the quarterbacks room. 

The leading candidates include Teddy Bridgewater, Case Keenum, Gardner Minshew and Taylor Heinicke. 

The team could also target a signal-caller in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Johnson expressed the best backups still possess the ability to take the field and lead a team to victory, despite the starter being down. 

“There’s a number of backups out there that -- I think that’s probably the majority of the backups out there, they’re just more just, keep the train on the tracks, let's just manage this thing," said Johnson. "The really good ones, the best backups, are the ones that can still win a ballgame for you. I think if you look at the record, the win-loss record for backups in the league, it's hard to find ones that are over .500.”