By Blessing 
Detroit Lions Shake Up Quarterback Room Ahead of 2025 NFL Season
The Detroit Lions are making some serious moves this offseason—and not just with their coaching staff. With an eye on another playoff run in 2025, the team is shuffling the quarterback depth chart in a way that has people talking.
After a strong 2024 campaign that ended in a playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, the Lions are retooling. Part of that process has involved a major coaching transition. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson took a new role with the Chicago Bears, while defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn joined the New York Jets. Those departures have left Detroit with some big shoes to fill on the sidelines, and now, changes are reaching the player personnel as well.
With the front office and the revamped coaching staff—led by head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes—hard at work, the team is now adding a new veteran presence at quarterback.
Lions Add Kyle Allen to Quarterback Mix
The Lions are bringing in quarterback Kyle Allen to bolster their depth at the position. The news came via Allen’s agency, Vayner Football, and was later confirmed by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
As Garafolo shared, “The #Lions have agreed to terms with veteran QB Kyle Allen, source says. Following a season with the #Steelers, Allen joins Detroit’s quarterback room behind Jared Goff.”
Allen, 29, spent the previous season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, backing up both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Though he didn’t take the field in 2024, Allen has significant NFL experience, including 19 career starts. His last time under center as a starter was with the Houston Texans back in 2022.
Now, Allen brings seven years of experience to Detroit, where he’ll compete for a spot behind Goff, who remains the team’s established starter. The rest of the quarterback room currently includes second-year signal-caller Hendon Hooker and fellow backup Jake Fromm.
What Allen’s Arrival Means for Hooker
Allen’s addition has sparked some debate among analysts and fans—particularly when it comes to Hooker’s future with the team.
While some see this move as nothing more than an effort to add experienced depth, others wonder if it signals a shift in the team’s view of Hooker, a third-round pick in the 2023 draft.
Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News offered a more measured perspective, writing: “It’s probably safe to assume the job of Hooker, a developmental quarterback Detroit selected in the third round of the 2023 draft, is safe.”
Bianchi added that the more immediate impact may be felt by Fromm, noting: “We might have to wait until training camp to learn the fate of Fromm, who will probably be Allen’s primary competition.”
Still, not everyone is as optimistic about Hooker’s outlook. Zach Ragan of A to Z Sports suggested that the signing could be a red flag for the young quarterback.
“Detroit’s decision to demote Hooker late last season seemed to indicate that the Lions aren’t very high on the former Vol,” Ragan stated. “And Detroit’s decision on Thursday to sign free agent quarterback Kyle Allen just further adds to the speculation that the Lions aren’t all-in on Hooker as their primary backup quarterback.”
Ragan went on to say, “It seems unlikely that Detroit signed Allen to be the No. 3 quarterback. Maybe there’s a legit competition this summer for the primary backup job, but even if there is, this move seems to further confirm that the Lions aren’t high on Hooker.”
In a follow-up piece, A to Z Sports contributor Mike Payton echoed the sentiment, hinting at possible future developments: “We’ll have to see what could happen moving forward. Maybe the Lions go into camp with Hooker or maybe they look for a trade partner. If he stays, he’s going to have to get over this obstacle. If he leaves, he might have a shot to play elsewhere.”
Looking Ahead
As the Lions gear up for the 2025 season, there’s no doubt the team is making deliberate decisions—on and off the field—to give themselves the best shot at success. With a new set of coaches, some fresh competition under center, and a clear vision from leadership, the next few months leading into training camp are bound to be filled with intrigue.
Whether Allen is simply another steady hand in the quarterback room or a potential shake-up in the pecking order, one thing is clear: the Lions aren’t standing still.