April Fools' Day!

No Detroit Lions player should feel safe on this day, because Chase Daniel could be lurking and ready to have some fun at their expense.

That’s because the Lions’ new backup quarterback is an epic prankster and an all-around purveyor of merriment. It’s one of several reasons the veteran, entering his 11th season, has been a locker-room favorite.

In 2012, early in his career with New Orleans, Daniel conducted a goofy four-minute interview for NFL Network with “newly signed Saints quarterback Drew Bree.”

“Uh, it’s Brees. With an S,” Brees said.

During training camp last year with the Chicago Bears, Daniel lined up five teammates and interviewed them for the team’s website. He grilled them about their personal skill ratings for the “Madden 20” video game, including long snapper “No. 48 Pat Scales, but he’s No. 1 in your heart.”

Defensive end Akiem Hicks was visibly upset from the start. When Daniel asked him to guess his rating, Hicks went off.

“Madden, I’ve been playing this game — since 2001 I’ve been playing this damn game,” Hicks said. “If you disrespect this year, we’re going to have some real issues. Tell me the number, Chase! I’ve got to be a 97!”

Daniel responded: “Eighty-seven.”

“Eh, cut the tape,” Hicks said as he stomped off.

He returned and demanded to know his power rating.

“I’m not worried about my speed as long as my strength is up,” Hicks said. “I tell you, my strength is 2,000. My power level is 2,000! I lift!”

Ratings go only as high as 99. Daniel revealed Hicks’ power rating to be 93.

“All right, all right,” Hicks said. “They shorted me, but it’s good.”

When Daniel told Scales that his 39 overall rating was the lowest on the team, Scales said, “I’m at least writing a very angry letter.”

But the best prank Daniel pulled, which would put him in the Hall of Fame of NFL pranksters, was during Bears camp in 2018. That’s when he wore a bucket hat and sunglasses and pretended to be a fan while he pestered teammates for autographs. Incredibly, most of them didn’t realize it was Daniel.

It certainly helped that post-practice autograph signings tend to be frenzied affairs. And it didn’t hurt that Daniel had a beard and is just 6 feet tall, which he disguised further by wearing a baggy No. 10 Mitchell Trubisky jersey.

Daniel kicked it off by walking up to fans getting autographs from rookie tight end Kylie Fitts and asking fans right in front of Fitts: “Who’s this?”

Daniel had Fitts sign a program, then asked: “How much was your signing bonus? Did you get drafted?”

Daniel begged guard Kyle Long for an autograph and got it without Long having any clue. “You’re awesome!” Daniel said

Daniel saved the best for last. He started a “Mitch-ell! Mitch-ell!” chant to lure Trubisky.

It worked. Daniel stood at the very front of the group of autograph seekers and said “Jersey!” as he lifted the Trubisky jersey he wore for Trubisky to sign.

“You’re the best quarterback ever!” Daniel yelled.

Daniel walked away yelling “Coach Nagy!” Trubisky then turned to the Bears’ camera crew and asked, “Who’s that?” as he realized he’d been had.

After that, even Hicks shouldn’t have had a problem if Trubisky had received a zero awareness rating on “Madden.”

Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.