The Detroit Lions are in a strong spot when it comes to their quarterback room. Jared Goff is firmly entrenched as the starter, and third-year QB Hendon Hooker is quietly being groomed as the long-term backup.
That leaves newly signed veteran Kyle Allen in a tough spot heading into training camp.
QB Kyle Allen Will Likely Not Play a Snap for the Lions
Detroit has done an excellent job building around Goff since acquiring him from the Los Angeles Rams back in 2021. At the time of the trade, most analysts saw Goff as a temporary stopgap. The focus was on the two first-round picks Detroit got in return for Matthew Stafford.
That assumption didn’t age well.
Goff has completely revived his career in Detroit. Over the last three seasons, he’s thrown for more than 4,400 yards and 29 or more touchdowns each year. He’s taken full command of Ben Johnson’s offense, spreading the ball around and playing with poise.
In 2024, he had his best season yet, completing 72.4 percent of his passes for 4,629 yards and 37 touchdowns. That earned him a four-year, $212 million contract extension that locked him in through his prime.
With Goff locked in as the starter, the Lions are turning more attention to Hooker. The team has high hopes for the 2023 third-rounder. He’s now nearly three years removed from the ACL tear that tanked his draft stock, and reports from Detroit’s offseason program suggest he’s showing progress.
Hooker has the athleticism to escape the pocket, and his accuracy is solid when he’s operating in rhythm. What he still needs is live-game experience and a better grasp of the offense.
That’s why Detroit brought in a veteran like Kyle Allen—to be a safety net. But it doesn’t mean he’ll stick.
Allen has bounced around the league and brings starting experience. He’s started 19 games in his career and thrown for over 4,700 yards with 26 touchdowns. His most notable season came in 2019. He started 12 games for the Carolina Panthers that season, leading them to a 5-7 record during those starts. He completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,322 yards and 17 touchdowns.
But he’s also thrown 21 interceptions and earned a reputation for inconsistent play. At this point in his career, he’s more of a placeholder than a long-term option.
Allen signed a one-year, $1.27 million deal. The Lions can save around $1 million by cutting him before Week 1. If Hooker performs like the team hopes, Allen’s time in Detroit could end without him ever stepping on the field in a real game.