By Sunday 
The story was supposed to go like this:
Hendon Hooker, college star, overcomes a torn ACL, learns behind Jared Goff, and eventually steps in as Detroit’s future franchise QB.
Instead, as July creeps in, the story has a very different tone—one that sounds a lot like a final chapter.
Once the Future, Now Forgotten?
The Lions spent a third-round pick on Hooker in the 2023 NFL Draft, betting on his accuracy, poise, and gaudy college numbers:
📊 6,080 yards, 58 touchdowns, 5 interceptions in two years at Tennessee.
The potential was clear. But after a rookie season spent fully “redshirting” while recovering from his ACL injury, Hooker’s momentum has stalled harder than a broken-down golf cart in the Ford Field parking lot.
He saw action in just three games in 2024—mostly in garbage time—and completed 6-of-9 passes for a modest 62 yards. Not terrible. But not promising enough, especially when you’re passed over by a guy who was literally coaching high school football before being pulled off the couch (looking at you, Teddy Bridgewater).
When the Backup Job Slips Away… to Kyle Allen
Let’s be blunt—if the Lions were sold on Hooker’s future, Kyle Allen would not be in Detroit right now. But here we are.
The offseason signing of Allen—combined with the lukewarm praise from Lions QB coach Mark Brunell—says it all: Hooker may be more prepared than last year, but the leash is short. Really short.
As Sports Illustrated’s Vito Chirco put it:
“If the Lions have to go to their backups for any extended period of time, they’ll be in trouble.”
And if that’s the case, it raises the question: why keep Hooker at all?
Age Isn’t Just a Number Here
Here’s another issue that doesn’t help his case: Hooker turns 27 this year. That’s older than some established NFL starters. He’s not your typical developmental QB fresh out of college—he’s a seasoned vet, at least on paper, with zero starts and zero traction.
Time isn’t just running out. It may have already lapped him.
Training Camp or Bust
All signs point to this camp being a do-or-die scenario for Hooker. Even if he somehow edges out Kyle Allen for the QB2 role, there’s no guarantee he makes it to Week 1. The Lions could still trade for a more reliable option—or just cut bait altogether.
What was once a hopeful long-term investment now looks more like a fading experiment. And unless Hooker lights it up in Allen Park, his time in Detroit might be headed toward the same shelf as Joey Harrington and clipboard Charlie Batch.