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By Anne Erickson
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Luke Altmyer is giving the Lions a reason to feel good about their quarterback room as training camp continues.
That's a good thing, considering the quarterback situation they're in.
The undrafted rookie has a legitimate opportunity to compete for a backup quarterback job following Teddy Bridgewater's retirement. However, Altmyer's chances didn't suddenly appear because of that opening. He had already been making a strong impression before Bridgewater's retirement created a clearer path for the young quarterback.
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Lions head coach Dan Campbell has noticed what Altmyer has brought to camp, particularly when the rookie has been placed in difficult situations.
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"He did some really good things," Campbell said, according to the Detroit Lions' official website. "He was put in some really tough positions for a young player that you absolutely have to be put in, you just do. You've got to be thrust in it and really you need to fail, you need to make mistakes so that you can grow. And we thought he handled it really well, we did."
That ability to handle adversity could be particularly important for Altmyer as he tries to earn a bigger role with the Lions.
His poise has stood out during situational drills, where quarterbacks have to process what is happening and make decisions quickly. Altmyer has also shown relative accuracy and the arm strength needed to make plays down the field.
There's still a lot for the rookie to work on. His progressions need to become quicker, something that's understandable for a young quarterback getting his first taste of this level of competition. Still, Altmyer has given himself a chance.
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The retirement of Bridgewater means there is now an even more obvious opportunity for Altmyer to compete for a backup role, but his performance before that development suggests he was already heading in the right direction.
Of course, the Lions did sign veteran quarterback Josh Dobbs to the roster. But, that doesn't mean Altmyer will disappear, especially with how he's looking at camp.
For an undrafted rookie, getting noticed early in training camp is important. Altmyer has done enough to put himself into the mix.
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