Coach Dan Campbell's Detroit Lions are a Super Bowl favorite in some circles as the team prepares for its regular season opener on Sept. 13 against the New Orleans Saints. 

The quarterback position has come into focus in recent days after backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater decided to leave Campbell's team, creating a void on Detroit's depth chart.

One player who will be tasked with picking up the slack is last year's Illinois Fighting Illini starting quarterback Luke Altmyer, who is expected to start the Lions' preseason game in Cincinnati this Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. 

Altmyer has gotten a vote of confidence from his former head coach Bret Bielema, and now it's time for him to begin the next phase of his NFL journey. 

Altmyer is expected to play "many snaps" for the Lions this Thursday according to WICS ABC20 of Springfield, Illinois reporter Carson Gourdie.  

"He's smart, dual threat, and Bielema thinks he could play 10 plus years in the NFL," Gourdie wrote. 

"We like him, but we would like to add a veteran QB,' Campbell said after Bridgewater's exit, which led to the Lions signing former Detroit and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs. 

Dobbs has the edge on Altmyer in experience, but Altmyer brings a winning attitude and plenty of talent to the backup QB position that has caught Campbell's eye this summer in Allen Park, Michigan, site of the Lions' practice facility. 

Campbell has watched the former Illini QB take steps forward in training camp, learning alongside star QB Jared Goff ahead of the Lions' Sept. 13 opener.

"Luke is growing," Campbell said. "Luke is getting better. He just needs reps. He needs a million reps, but the reps he has gotten to this point, he has improved," Campbell said according to Gourdie. 

"So, we like him," Campbell added. 

Altmyer's skill and results improved exponentially during his time in Champaign with the Fighting Illini, culminating in a fantastic senior season. 

The former Ole Miss transfer passed for 3,007 yards to go with 22 touchdowns and five interceptions, on 67.4% completions with Bret Bielema's team in 2025. 

His stats improved across the board, although they weren't enough to warrant a selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Altmyer has beaten the odds throughout his career, and now finds himself in an advantageous situation with Campbell's team alongside one of the brightest quarterbacks in the NFL, the veteran star and Super Bowl hopeful Goff. 

With Bridgewater out of the picture, Altmyer's chances of sticking with the Lions just got a lot better, a development that could give him the opportunity to continue his growth process, and surprise more than a few NFL scouts, as the professional stage of his career continues in Motown.