The Lions have two former quarterbacks hudden away that are making a large impact from the shadows

The Detroit Lions have a really good quarterback situation right now. Jared Goff is at the top of his game, and both Kyle Allen and Hendon Hooker are capable backups who complement Goff well. That's why it feels safe to say that the Lions have maybe the most quarterback-friendly setup in the NFL. That's not totally because of Dan Campbell or John Morton. It's not fully because of quarterback coach Mark Brunell, either. There are two other quarterbacks on this team who offer a big impact from behind the scenes because they've been there and done that, too. We're talking about Bruce Gradkowski and Marques Tuiasosopo.

Both players played quarterback in the NFL, and now they're on the Detroit Lions staff. For Gradkowski, he played 11 seasons in the NFL. Most notably for the Steelers as Ben Roethlisberger's backup from 2013-2016. Tuiasosopo spent six seasons with the Raiders. Together, that's nearly 20 years of NFL experience at the league's most important position.

This summer, we got a chance to talk with Goff, Allen, and Hooker about what having these extra guys on the coaching staff does for them, and they all gave different answers, and each one really highlights the value of having these guys around.

For Goff, it's another set of eyes and another brain to pick on how to read certain plays and approach things.

"Having guys that played the position, for me, it's so invaluable to be able to bounce things off of them, how they did things, how they saw things, certain plays that I'm not sure how I want to read, they can give me good insight on how they did in the past. So yeah, obviously, Bru (Brunell) and I've been together for a long time. He's been such a great mentor and help, and coach to me, and the n having those two guys this year has been even better."

For Hooker, it's all about the mental side of things. He said these coaches like to pick at his brain and see where he's at on his knowledge.

"They've been great, just, you know, continuing to motivate me, day in, day out, constantly quizzing me and testing my knowledge, which is good. It's just me, just working that muscle, working my brain muscle. They just give me tips and pointers. Just being in my position before what things helped them."

Lastly, for Allen, it's about being able to communicate with guys who have seen the field the way quarterbacks see it.

"I think it's helpful. I think it's it's always good to have someone who can see it through the quarterback's eyes, and who's played the position before, and, you know, who's run these concepts before, seen these defenses. I think you have a different you have a different different way of communicating with those guys, and it's always super helpful. I've always loved playing for people who have played before."

You can clearly see why having so many guys around that speak the same language and see the field the same way is already a big benefit to the Lions' quarterbacks. I think it's fair to say that this is why you've seen Goff expand his game a little more comfortably this summer and why Allen is looking the best he's looked in his career. You can understand why the Lions may not want to count Hooker out too soon. Because they have a wealth of knowledge on this staff, and with more time, that wealth of knowledge can continue to grow for the players.

From the coaching side of things, Tuiasosopo wants his quarterbacks to know what it takes to play the position.

"...Understand what the position demands, the responsibility that they have, you know, the position they have on the team, and so to get them to understand that they control the tempo of practice by how they operate. The head coach sets the path, and then they're riding the ship, you know, they're like the rudder and, you know, everyone's looking at them. So always ca rry yourself the right way and just work your butt off."

Tuiasosopo also knows that with that comes pressure. There are mental hurdles to get over at the position, and there are things to work out with timing and how to see the field. It's not just going out there and snapping the ball and throwing it. Tuiasosopo believes that you have to get deeper into things with the player and try to get inside their heads.

"You just try to dig into them and see what their process is, and just help them. Sometimes it's just seeing it a different way. Sometimes it's just, it's old school. Just push through the barrier, through repetition and work. Or it's a combination of coming alongside them and then also pushing them hard. There's some tough love in there, and getting them to understand that all the hard work is going to pay off. They got to trust that, and usually in those moments, right? The difference between trusting what you're doing, what you're seeing, and not is what makes the play work or not."

We should see things work out for the Lions at quarterback this year, and it shouldn't surprise anyone if there's more confidence in ability going forward from Goff, Allen, and Hooker. They're in positions that a lot of quarterbacks aren't in with all this extra knowledge around them. It's going to pay off for them.