By Blessing 
Hendon Hooker Already on Shaky Ground After Day 1 of Lions Training Camp
Hendon Hooker’s grip on the Detroit Lions’ No. 2 quarterback role is already looking unstable—and the first day of training camp did little to boost his standing.
With Jared Goff firmly cemented as the team’s starting quarterback for the foreseeable future, it came as a surprise when Detroit used a high draft pick—No. 68 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft—to select Hooker. The Lions even traded up to get him. At the time, the move raised eyebrows, especially considering Hooker was recovering from a torn ACL suffered late in his final season at Tennessee and was already 25 years old when drafted. It was clear from the start his rookie year would be more of a “redshirt season.”
Hooker eventually landed the backup job last year, largely by default. Nate Sudfeld failed to offer any real competition, and Hooker saw limited action in some late-season blowouts. But under those conditions, it was difficult to get a clear read on his potential.
Late in the season, Detroit re-signed veteran Teddy Bridgewater after his stint coaching his former high school to a state title. Not long after his return, Bridgewater leapfrogged Hooker on the depth chart and served as the backup quarterback in the Divisional Round matchup against Washington.
Although head coach Dan Campbell publicly downplayed the move, the Lions’ actions spoke volumes about how they truly viewed Hooker. Any remaining trade value he might have had has likely evaporated due to how the team has handled his development—or lack thereof.
This offseason, Detroit brought in journeyman Kyle Allen to add depth at quarterback. ESPN’s Ben Solak pointed out that this addition, subtle as it may have seemed, signaled a lack of trust in Hooker—if that wasn’t already obvious by now.
Day 1 of Camp: A Concerning Star
While it’s easy to overreact to one day of practice, sometimes the early reps reveal real insights. On Sunday, the first day of Lions training camp, the quarterback pecking order was on full display.
Sports Illustrated’s John Maakaron and Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire were among those observing. Risdon’s evaluation of Hooker wasn’t overly harsh, but it came with a telling remark.
> “Hendon Hooker was, well, Hendon Hooker. Just as was the case last season, he mixes in some outstanding throws with some ponderous misses.”
That inconsistency continues to shadow Hooker. The Lions have historically rotated their backup quarterbacks between the second and third-team units during training camp, and Hooker is expected to get plenty of reps. However, Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network observed that Kyle Allen is poised to challenge him far more than Sudfeld ever did.
There’s still a general belief that Hooker has the inside track to be Goff’s primary backup. Allen is considered more of a depth option or fallback. But if Allen outperforms him, and earns the No. 2 job, then Hooker’s place on the roster becomes hard to justify. At that point, he’d be entering his second full training camp and preseason with no significant progress—and no lingering injury excuse to fall back on.
It’s worth noting that Hooker reportedly dealt with a finger injury, but that doesn’t appear to be a major issue entering this camp. At this stage, the opportunity is there—but he’ll need to show tangible growth fast.
A Crucial Window That May Be Closing
For Hooker, this training camp is pivotal. There are no more injury passes, no soft competition, and no more benefit of the doubt. The Lions’ patience seems to be wearing thin, and Day 1 didn’t exactly set a promising tone.
Yes, it’s only the beginning of camp. A lot can change in the coming days and weeks. But for a quarterback who’s already had a redshirt year, is older than many of his peers, and hasn’t seized clear opportunities, every snap counts.
If Hooker fails to separate himself from Allen in the coming practices and preseason games, Detroit will face a tough decision. Keeping him as a third-string quarterback—with no upward trajectory—may not make sense in a season where every roster spot matters.
Hooker’s NFL journey is far from over, but if he doesn’t turn things around soon, the dream he and the Lions once shared might be slipping out of reach faster than anyone expected.