After the first game of the preseason, it was impossible to feel confident in either of the Detroit Lions backup quarterback options. Hendon Hooker looked lost on the field, and Kyle Allen appeared to have a concerning tendency to hand the ball to the wrong team. However, in the weeks that have followed, Hooker's struggles have continued while Allen has made it clear who the backup is moving forward.
In the final game of the preseason, the veteran backup went 5/5 for 66 yards and a nice touchdown toss. It continued Allen's recent hot streak and gave Detroit fans reason for confidence in the position. While a more proven backup would still be ideal, Allen has done everything you could possibly hope to see in the final weeks of the preseason. It was especially impressive when you look at the veteran's pass-catching options.
Detroit opted to protect its starters heading into the regular season. This is an understandable approach given how many injuries piled up last year. Dan Campbell opting to value rest and health over reps is an approach that is easy to defend. It also served as an opportunity for Allen to officially cement himself as the second option.
Lions Backup Quarterback Kyle Allen Closes Preseason in Impressive Fashion
What made the impressive performance all the more glaring was how Hooker played in comparison. Turning the ball over and unable to get anything going offensively, it was difficult to watch the project quarterback continue to make zero progress. After spending so much time in Detroit's system, it is clear that Hooker simply isn't going to become a reliable answer.
For the Lions, this is a frustration for a player the franchise hoped would develop into a long term backup option behind Jared Goff. Still, Allen has played well enough that a panic move doesn't have to be made. The Lions can sit back as they did last season, waiting to see if an upgrade becomes available over the next weeks of the season.
Allen's strong preseason should be celebrated when you consider the difficult road his career has taken. It is an exciting step that perhaps will help keep his career alive for years to come. At the very least, it gives Lions fans a bit of hope that they've found a viable option if Goff were to miss a handful of snaps.