Since the turn of the century, the Detroit Lions have been searching for their next franchise quarterback. With some ups and downs, the Lions have had several quarterbacks take the field in the last two decades. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Lions' QB situation since 2000, and how they have fared with each signal-caller.
Joey Harrington: A Promising Start
After selecting Joey Harrington with the third overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, the Lions had high hopes for their new quarterback. Harrington showed promise early on, leading the Lions to a 6-2 start in his second season. However, things quickly turned sour as the Lions lost seven of their last eight games that season, and Harrington's play regressed in the following years. After four seasons in Detroit, Harrington was traded to the Miami Dolphins.
While Harrington may not have lived up to the expectations in Detroit, he did have some solid performances during his time there. In 2003, he threw for over 3,000 yards and 17 touchdowns, and had a passer rating of 77.5. Unfortunately for the Lions, Harrington was unable to sustain that level of play, and they were left searching for a new quarterback once again.
Jon Kitna: A Bright Spot in a Dark Era
After a few forgettable seasons with Harrington and other quarterbacks, the Lions acquired Jon Kitna in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals. While Kitna may not have been a long-term solution, he did provide some stability for the Lions during a tough period. In his first season in Detroit, Kitna threw for over 4,000 yards and 21 touchdowns, leading the Lions to a 7-9 record.
Kitna continued to play well for the Lions in the following seasons, with another 4,000 yard season in 2007. However, despite his solid play, the Lions struggled to find success on the field, finishing with losing records in each of Kitna's three seasons as the starter.
Matthew Stafford: The Lions' Franchise Quarterback
In 2009, the Lions selected Matthew Stafford with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. While he struggled with injuries early in his career, Stafford has emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL over the last decade. Since taking over as the Lions' starter in 2011, Stafford has thrown for over 40,000 yards and 256 touchdowns.
Stafford's best season came in 2011, when he threw for over 5,000 yards and 41 touchdowns, leading the Lions to a playoff berth. While the Lions have had some struggles in recent years, Stafford has remained a constant bright spot for the team. He has shown the ability to make all of the throws and has been a leader on and off the field.
The Future: What Lies Ahead for the Lions?
As the Lions move into the future, there are still some questions surrounding their quarterback situation. While Stafford remains one of the best quarterbacks in the league, he is getting older, and the Lions may need to start thinking about his eventual replacement. The Lions have had some recent draft picks at the position, including David Blough and Tua Tagovailoa, but it remains to be seen if either of them will be the answer for the Lions.
Ultimately, the Lions' success over the next few years will likely hinge on the play of their quarterback. While they have had some ups and downs at the position in the last two decades, they have a talented quarterback in Stafford who can lead them to success. If the Lions can continue to build around Stafford and find a suitable replacement when the time comes, they could be a team to watch in the near future.
Conclusion
Overall, the Detroit Lions' quarterback situation since 2000 has been a mixed bag. While they have had some promising players at the position, they have also had some struggles and have yet to find a long-term solution. However, with Matthew Stafford at the helm, the Lions have a talented quarterback who can lead them to success. As they move into the future, the Lions will need to continue to build around Stafford and find a suitable replacement when the time comes.
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