The Detroit Lions made a small move after the 2026 NFL Draft that could matter later. They already have Jared Goff as their starter, but they still added another quarterback for depth going into the new season.

NFL Insider Tom Pelissero shared the update that they were adding Illinois QB Luke Altmyer to the roster through the undrafted free agent market.

“The Lions are signing UDFA Illinois QB Luke Altmyer, per @TomPelissero,” The Detroit Times' X post read.  

Altmyer comes in with strong college numbers. He threw for 7,924 yards and 60 touchdowns during his time in college football, showing steady growth across multiple seasons.

He started his journey at the Ole Miss Rebels before moving to the Illinois Fighting Illini, where he became a three-year starter. His role there helped him gain experience in different game situations.

Now he joins a QB room that needs depth. Behind Goff, the only experienced option is Teddy Bridgewater, who has moved across teams in recent years and even stepped away due to a suspension for a short time.

Altmyer may not start right away, but he gets a chance to learn and compete. With the Lions aiming to return to the playoffs, this could be a good chance for his early development. That leads to how experts view his chances at the next level.

NFL Analysts Share Mixed Views on Luke Altmyer

Before the draft, there was some talk about where Altmyer might land. Some thought he could be picked late, but he ended up going undrafted and choosing his own path.

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein shared his thoughts on Altmyer before the draft and gave a clear breakdown of his game.

“Three-year starter with solid passing production relative to the lack of protection he saw in 2025,” Lance Zierlein wrote. “Altmyer has experience in pro passing concepts and shows decent eye discipline/patience to give the play a chance.”

In his final two seasons, Altmyer stayed consistent. He threw 22 touchdowns with six interceptions in 2024, followed by 22 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2025.

He also recorded a career-high 3,007 passing yards with a 67.4% completion rate in 2025.

“He throws with adequate anticipation into zone windows," Zierlein said. "But a slower operation time and lack of arm talent hurt his chances of beating tight-man coverage.”

Altmyer also added value on the ground, scoring five rushing touchdowns in his last season.

The analyst noted that Altmyer struggled with edge pressure and still took too many sacks, which could hurt his chances of earning a roster spot.

For now, he has a chance to grow without pressure. With questions still around the backup role, Altmyer has a real opportunity to prove himself if he makes the most of training camp and preseason reps.

For all Lions updates, follow the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Anjali Thakur

Edited by

Kalp Thaker