The Detroit Lions have signaled that they expect a competition for the backup quarterback job behind starter Jared Goff during the 2025 offseason, but could they consider trade possibilities if neither of their current candidates stands out during training camp?

Detroit locked in Goff with a four-year, \$212 million contract extension last offseason, securing him with the franchise through the 2028 season. That makes it virtually certain he’ll begin the upcoming year as their starting quarterback barring injury or an unforeseen twist.

Behind him, the Lions are preparing for a position battle between second-year QB Hendon Hooker — a third-round selection in 2023 — and veteran journeyman Kyle Allen, who was brought in during free agency, to determine the team’s No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart.

Allen brings experience, having played in 31 games and started 19 during his first seven NFL seasons. Hooker, meanwhile, is a young player whose potential still excites GM Brad Holmes and the rest of Detroit’s front office. But if both QBs fail to impress during OTAs, the Lions might consider bringing in outside help.

If that happens, CBS Sports analyst Cody Benjamin sees Detroit as a potential landing spot in a trade for Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis, a third-year signal-caller heading into 2025.

“Tennessee has not openly pushed Levis out, but with the team using this year’s No. 1 overall pick on Cam Ward, the writing is on the wall,” Benjamin wrote. “Could new head coach Brian Callahan keep Levis as a backup? Maybe. But the Titans could also save \$1.6 million by trading him after June 1.”

Levis might interest the Lions if they’re seeking a low-cost trade target to heat up the competition — assuming they believe they can work with his flaws and develop his upside.

Levis’ stint in Tennessee has been underwhelming. Picked 33rd overall, he took over midway through his 2023 rookie year but failed to consistently showcase his arm strength, completing 58.4% of his throws for 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns, and four picks in nine starts.

He entered 2024 as the starter with higher expectations, but struggled again. Although his completion rate rose to 63.1%, he turned the ball over too often — with 13 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and at least one fumble in nine of 12 starts. Eventually, the Titans benched him.

With the top pick in the 2025 draft, Tennessee chose to move forward with Cam Ward as their new starter, effectively pushing Levis to a backup role. Still, a team like Detroit might see potential in his physical traits and be willing to take a chance.

According to Over the Cap, Levis is under contract for two more years on his rookie deal worth \$9.54 million, and his cap hits stay under \$3.1 million. A team trading for him would gain two seasons of affordable control. His value is another issue, but the Titans likely won’t demand much after benching and replacing him.

The Lions have gambled on quarterbacks with shaky starts before. When they traded for Goff from the Rams in 2021 as part of the Matthew Stafford deal, he was in a similar spot, trying to reset his career.

Is trading for a backup quarterback logical for the Lions’ 2025 roster strategy? Only if both Hooker and Allen significantly disappoint as camp progresses.

So far in OTAs, neither Hooker nor Allen has shown anything concerning to Detroit’s coaching staff, though real competition won’t start until training camp. Detroit also picked Hooker in the same 2023 class as Levis and might feel his skill set better suits what they want in a developmental QB.

The Lions may reconsider their options if training camp ends and neither QB convinces them he’s ready. In 2024, the Green Bay Packers made a similar move by trading a 2025 seventh-round pick to Tennessee for Malik Willis after their backups underwhelmed.

That said, it may be wiser for Detroit to stick with their current plan.

Goff remains the main focus for the Lions, and while having a reliable backup is important in case he misses time, Levis hasn’t done enough in two years to prove he’s clearly better than either Hooker or Allen.