Former Packers QB Tim Boyle signs 1-year contract with Detroit Lions

The Laser Show is moving on to a new location. A few days after the Green Bay Packers elected not to give quarterback Tim Boyle a restricted free agent tender, Aaron Rodgers’ former backup has landed with a new team.

Boyle is following the path laid out by Jamaal Williams earlier this week, as he is signing a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions. Detroit is in need of a backup to Jared Goff following their release of veteran Chase Daniel this week, and Boyle will get a shot with the Packers’ NFC North rival.

Like so many young players and backups, Boyle was hurt by the lack of preseason games in 2020. According to multiple Packers beat writers, he had an excellent training camp, but was unable to show it in game action. Boyle did have a good performance in the 2019 preseason, however, leading all qualifying quarterbacks with a 112.9 passer rating.

Still, though he has an extremely strong arm, Boyle has yet to display NFL-caliber accuracy and decision-making against starting defenses in regular season action. His performances in 2020 were limited to kneel-downs at the end of blowouts and one dropback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 6, which resulted in him fumbling on a sack by Jason Pierre-Paul. Boyle’s only regular-season pass attempts came in 2019’s regular season loss in San Francisco, when he completed three of four passes for 15 yards.