The Detroit Lions have decided to take a steady approach to NFL free agency, re-signing many of their guys from last year’s team. However, the team signed a few external free agents, such as D.J. Reed, Roy Lopez, Grant Stuard, Avonte Maddox, Rock Ya-Sin, Kyle Allen, and Kenny Yeboah.
Reed received the most attention among those seven players as he replaced Carlton Davis III, who left in free agency to join the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, Lions fans should also keep an eye on veteran quarterback Kyle Allen, who will likely be competing with Hendon Hooker for the backup job.
At the NFL Owners Meetings last week, Lions general manager Brad Holmes told reporters that the team brought in Allen to compete with the former third-round pick. Holmes also said that the Lions did not feel Hooker was ready for the postseason and he has to earn the QB2 job.
If Lions fans remember, the former Tennessee Volunteers signal-caller was not the backup QB in Detroit’s NFC Divisional Round game against the Washington Commanders. That job went to Teddy Bridgewater, who came out of retirement fresh off winning a high school football championship as a coach in Florida.
The fact that Hooker, who was the backup for most of the 2024 season, wasn’t trusted by the front office to be QB2 behind Goff is a damning remark. That said, Holmes still has high hopes for the former third-round pick.
“Still got high hopes for him but nobody's gonna be given a job either," the Lions GM said (h/t ESPN’s Eric Woodyard). "So, if Hendon wants to be the No. 2 QB then win the No. 2 QB job."
Brad Holmes says adding QB Kyle Allen is comp for Hendon Hooker to win the QB2 spot. They didn't feel he was ready for playoffs. "Still got high hopes for him but nobody's gonna be given a job either," he said. "So, if Hendon wants to be the No. 2 QB then win the No. 2 QB job."
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) March 31, 2025
Given his experience in the Lions’ system and his talent, Hooker should be able to beat out the 29-year-old Allen. However, Allen, who is only two years older than Hooker, has a lot more NFL experience under his belt.
The veteran quarterback has appeared in 31 games (19 starts) across seven years after playing his college football at Texas A&M and the University of Houston.
Allen is a career 62.7 percent passer and has thrown for 4,753 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. The veteran QB began his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers, spending two years in the Queen City (2018, ‘19). In his second season with the Panthers, Allen started in a career-high 12 games.
After that, Allen played for two years with the then-Washington Football Team, appearing in six games (four starts). Then, over the last few years, Allen bounced around the league, playing with the Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The backup QB battle might fall under the radar to most casual NFL fans, but Lions fans will be watching to see if Hooker will rise to the occasion after being called out.