Our 2017 roster review will reexamine the Lions’ roster and how it played out last season. We’ll take a look at expectations, performance and potential role in the future.

Today, we continue our discussion with Detroit Lions reserve quarterback Alek Torgersen.

Alek Torgersen

Expectations before 2017

There weren’t any. Torgersen was heavily scouted by Bob Quinn and the now departed Brian Callahan prior to the 2017 season. A favorite of some of the folks at POD, Torgersen’s desire to constantly improve, coupled with a strong arm and an Ivy League education, made him a perfect candidate to develop on the roster. While he didn’t make an NFL roster, he hung around on practice squads and is currently the only other quarterback signed on the Lions roster.

Actual role in 2017

2017 stats: N/A

Torgersen would end up undrafted out of Penn and land in camp with the Atlanta Falcons. He would ultimately play very little in the preseason before finding himself cut. He spent the month of September on the Washington Redskins practice squad before being released early in October. From there, he was on the market until the Lions signed him to a futures deal late in December 2017. He remains the only quarterback currently signed in Detroit as teams have not begun tendering their RFA and ERFA yet, of which Jake Rudock is the latter.

Outlook for 2018

Contract Status: Reserve/Futures Deal

Even as a fan of Alek Torgersen prior to the draft and one of the few who were super stoked when the Lions brought him in, my expectations aren’t high for his prospects in 2018. We’d have to see a huge jump for him to be anything more than a practice squad candidate.

I think there’s a good likelihood that Jake Rudock is retained since ERFA contracts are so small and team friendly. From there, it starts to get interesting. Brian Callahan is gone and the Lions have a new quarterbacks coach in George Godsey. Godsey worked with the defense for the Lions in 2017, so he’s familiar with Rudock (and departed QB Brad Kaaya, should he ever return), but we’re not sure yet if he prefers him both in talent and style.

It’s not only possible but likely that the Lions bring in another quarterback, either in free agency or as an undrafted free agent, rather than using a draft pick, so that would add another wrinkle. Torgersen could very well be the odd man out in that scenario, but if he continued as a pro working at honing his craft like he did as a college QB, then Alek Torgersen has a fighting chance.

Previously: DE Dwight Freeney, LB Tahir Whitehead , DE Ezekiel Ansah, S Tavon Wilson, CB Nevin Lawson, LS Don Muhlbach, LB Paul Worrilow, WR TJ Jones, TE Darren Fells, OT Greg Robinson, DT Jordan Hill, CB DJ Hayden, S Don Carey, LB Nick Bellore, G Don Barclay, RB Mike James, C Travis Swanson, QB Jake Rudock, G Zac Kerin, LB/DE Brandon Copeland, RB Zach Zenner, DT Haloti Ngata, DT Rodney Coe, DE Kerry Hyder