Lions free-agent profile: Will Dan Orlovsky be re-signed again?

To get ready for free agency, we're going to take a look at each of the Detroit Lions' 2016 free agents. First up is quarterback Dan Orlovsky.

2015 stats

2 games (0 starts) | 22-40 (55.0%), 201 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

How he joined the Lions

Re-signed to one-year deal in March 2015.

Case for re-signing him

The Detroit Lions have a clear need for a backup quarterback, and Orlovksy is one of the simplest, cheapest options out there. He clearly has a rapport with Jim Caldwell, playing backup for him in Indianapolis before rejoining him in Detroit back in 2014. There are some other options out there in free agency, but Orlovsky is a fairly comfortable fit in Detroit and he seems to like it there.

Case against re-signing him

Orlovksy has made it pretty clear in his entire playing career that he isn't too capable of being a starter. The Lions have been lucky with Matthew Stafford's health. But if the star quarterback were to face a serious injury in 2016, there's not much hope in Orlovksy stepping in and leading the Lions to victory.

Final verdict

It's easy to lose sight in the importance of a backup quarterback when your starter hasn't missed a game in five years. Orlovksy would be the easy option for 2016, but that's not going to instill a lot of confidence in the fanbase. Orlovsky hasn't started an NFL game 2011.

But the grass is always greener on the other side. Who amongst the Chad Hennes and Matt Cassels in the free agency pool truly instill confidence? Drew Stanton is sure to be a popular choice among fans, but the former Lion and Michigan State Spartan has only started eight games in the past five years.

Re-signing Orlovksy would be a boring, uninspiring move, but if paired with the signing or drafting of a developmental project, it could set the Lions on the right path for the future.