A couple of years ago, the Detroit Lions took a surprising flyer on backup quarterback Hendon Hooker, taking him with the 68th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Lions’ decision to draft Hooker was shocking, given that veteran Jared Goff just wrapped up his second season in the Motor City. However, Hooker didn’t have high expectations as a rookie as he was rehabbing from a torn ACL he suffered in his last year at the University of Tennessee.
That said, over the last two years, Hooker has had a chance to take the QB2 job in Detroit, but has failed to do so. In 2024, the Lions signed veteran Teddy Bridgewater as the backup behind Goff.
Then last season, Hooker was the QB2, but Detroit signed Bridgewater ahead of the playoffs, which was surprising. And then to make matters worse for Hooker’s future with the team, the Lions signed journeyman Kyle Allen in free agency.
Between all those moves and Lions GM Brad Holmes' latest comments from the NFL Owners Meetings, it’s not looking good for the former third-round pick.
According to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard, Holmes said that Allen was brought in competition for Hooker and they didn’t feel the former third-round pick was ready for the postseason. He also said Hooker won’t be given the backup job, he has to earn it.
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
"Still got high hopes for him but nobody's gonna be given a job either," the Lions GM said. "So, if Hendon wants to be the No. 2 QB then win the No. 2 QB job."
If Lions fans remember, Hooker was the QB3 for the Lions' divisional round playoff game against the Washington Commanders. Goff had to come out of the game briefly in the first half after taking a big hit from Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu on a pick-six.
At that point, the Lions turned to Bridgewater for a few snaps until Goff was given the okay to return. The fact that Detroit doesn’t trust Hooker to step in a spot like that, for example, is not good.
However, the former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback will get another chance to prove himself in training camp. But if Hooker cannot beat out Allen for the backup job, one wonders if Detroit would cut or trade him next.