The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears have their starting quarterbacks, but a new report suggests they're about to fight over the same backup. Both teams formally met with a prospect at the NFL Combine, signaling a potential NFC North rivalry for talent.

At the 2026 NFL combine, both the Lions and the Bears have eyed the same prospect, as Crunch time Sports reported on X yesterday that:

"The Detroit Lions have FORMALLY MET with North Dakota State QB Cole Payton...Payton ONLY formally met with the Lions and Bears #OnePride"

Now the Lions do need a backup QB since Kyle Allen’s contract has expired. Allen signed a one-year contract worth about $1.27 million with the Detroit Lions for the 2025 season, which means he will be a free agent very soon.

A younger quarterback can be a great option here. Payton has shown some talent in CFB. Through his career, he completed 199 of 283 passes for 3,190 yards, 21 TDs, and 6 interceptions. His accolades include 2025 Walter Payton Award finalist (3rd place) and being a part of the Associated Press FCS All-America Second Team.

In his breakout 2025 season, he threw for over 2,700 yards with 16 touchdowns and just four interceptions while completing around 72 percent of his passes. He was also a major threat on the ground, rushing for over 700 yards and 13 touchdowns.

However, the draft isn't the only place the Lions can get a backup.

Dan Campbell Can Get Another Backup For Jared Goff

Instead of re-signing Allen, Mike Payton of A to Z Sports suggests the team consider adding Jacoby Brissett as a backup to Jared Goff.

“Brissett has experience with the new Lions offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing. He was with him in Arizona when Petzing was the Cardinals’ OC, and he was with him in Cleveland when Petzing was the Browns’ quarterbacks coach.”

The Detroit Lions brought in Drew Petzing as their offensive coordinator after the 2025-26 season, when Jacoby Brissett played under Petzing. He passed for 3,366 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions across 14 games.

He also worked with Petzing in the Cleveland Browns, throwing for 2,608 yards and 12 touchdowns in 16 games in the 2022 season. The Cardinals might be looking to cut him off since his cap hit goes from just over $5 million in 2025 to just over $9 million in 2026.

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Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar