Currently, Matthew Stafford is the only Detroit Lions quarterback under contract for next season. In fact, the Lions' backups from last season are both visiting other teams right now. Shaun Hill is meeting with the St. Louis Rams, while Drew Stanton is out in New York to visit with the Jets.
Should the Lions lose Hill and Stanton, quarterback will suddenly rise to near the top of the list of needs this offseason. While the starting spot is obviously set with Stafford, it's important to have a good backup behind him. It would be tough to replace both Hill and Stanton, but one name to keep in mind should that happen is David Garrard. He sat out 2011 with a back problem but has since been cleared by doctors, and he is ready to start making some free agent visits. According to his agent, Garrard would listen to what the Lions are offering if they express interest.
"If the Lions are interested in David's services, we will listen," said Al Irby, Garrard's agent. "Because of the chain reaction Peyton (Manning) will cause, teams that inquired about David before, may change their mind when certain quarterbacks become available. It is my opinion that David is the next-best quarterback now on the market. Once Peyton makes a decision, based on recent activity, David will be a hot quarterback.
Reading some of Irby's other comments, it seems like Garrard would rather go to a situation where he has a legitimate chance of pushing for a starting job. That isn't going to happen in Detroit with Stafford firmly entrenched as the starter, so I'd honestly be a bit surprised if anything develops on this front, especially since both Stanton and Hill would have to sign elsewhere first.