Detroit News beat writer Justin Rogers is reporting that the Detroit Lions are signing quarterback Jeff Driskel to their 53-man roster — MLive’s Kyle Meinke and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also confirmed Rogers report.
Driskel will take the roster spot of recently released quarterback Josh Johnson — reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He recently worked out for the Lions after being released from the Cincinnati Bengals with an injury settlement (hamstring).
Originally drafted in the sixth round out of Louisiana Tech (after four years at Florida) by the San Francisco 49ers, he never made it to his first regular-season NFL game before being released in 2016.
He was claimed off of waivers by the Bengals and spent three seasons with the team, with his first game action coming in 2018, where he played in nine games and starting five. He threw 176 passes, completing 105 for an underwhelming 59.7 completion rate, but his six touchdowns versus two interceptions is more appealing. He also ran the ball 25 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Driskel has the size, arm strength and upside to warrant a reserve spot in the NFL, but like most reserve quarterbacks in the NFL, he’s not someone who will challenge Matthew Stafford for a starting role.
