Jake Fromm impresses in his unexpected Lions debut

Jake Fromm wasn’t supposed to play in the Detroit Lions preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Dan Campbell said as much in his final press conference of the week.

Heck, Fromm didn’t take a single snap in either practice leading into the game. Brought in as a camp arm to provide reps while Hendon Hooker was sidelined with a concussion after the first preseason game, Fromm got precious little action in practices once Hooker quickly returned.

So it was a little surprising when Fromm, wearing No. 18, trotted onto the field in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s exhibition. With the outcome still up for grabs, Fromm calmly, efficiently iced the game into a sweet victory for the Lions in his two drives.

Fromm played well, no doubt about it. Given the scant prep, the practice squad refugee from several other teams looked great. Fromm completed 6-of-8 passes for 89 yards, leading the Lions to a touchdown drive and into victory formation at the end.

Campbell, who had all but ruled out Fromm during the week, seemed quite happy that he gave the Georgia alum a chance.

“Man, I like Fromm,” Campbell said after the game. “The kid can play a little ball. There’s something about him. He understands where his answers are at, what to do with the football.”

Campbell continued, noting his antenna was up for No. 18.

“I see him. So, what does that mean? I don’t quite know yet, but I know this is that he’s intriguing,” Campbell stated. He’s got a little football player in him.”

To echo Campbell’s question, what does that mean for Fromm in Detroit?

We’ll find out Tuesday, but it sure looks and sounds like Fromm might have played his way onto the Lions’ practice squad.