By Blessing 
Are the Detroit Lions Really Moving on from Hendon Hooker? Not So Fast.
On Thursday night, the Detroit Lions made headlines after agreeing to a deal with quarterback Kyle Allen. Almost instantly, reactions started pouring in across social media. Some fans — and even a few media voices — were quick to suggest that Allen’s signing could signal the end of the road for Hendon Hooker in Detroit. But let’s not jump to conclusions just yet.
What Does This Mean for Hooker?
It’s easy to see why people might read into the signing. The quarterback room already includes Jared Goff and Hooker, so adding Allen naturally raises eyebrows. Still, there’s no reason to assume this move spells doom for Hooker’s future. Truthfully, the details of Allen’s contract haven’t even been released. For all we know, it could be a low-risk deal with minimal guarantees — the kind of contract that simply brings in another body to compete for a depth role, possibly battling Jake Fromm for the No. 3 quarterback spot.
Of course, if the deal includes a significant amount of guaranteed money, that could change the outlook. But until we know more, this signing shouldn’t be interpreted as a clear sign that Detroit is moving on from Hooker.
The Lions Still Have Confidence in Hooker
Let’s not forget what head coach Dan Campbell said just a few months ago when the team brought Teddy Bridgewater back into the fold. At the time, questions were swirling about what that meant for Hooker, and Campbell didn’t mince words.
“It doesn’t mean we’re disappointed in Hooker. That’s not what this means,” Campbell said. “It just means this gives us somebody that’s played a lot in the NFL. We’re getting ready for the playoffs, so it’ll be good to get him back in the fold with us.”
He doubled down on that message, adding, “This does not mean that Hooker is out. That’s not what this means. If it comes to that, Hooker is going to play for us, but Teddy probably will, too… I understand what it looks like, but it’s just a different world that we’re getting ready to talk into, and we just felt like this is the right thing to do.”
Campbell’s words were clear: the move wasn’t about losing faith in Hooker — it was about having experienced depth in high-stakes situations.
Final Thoughts
The coaching staff has consistently praised Hooker and his development. It’s hard to imagine they’d throw in the towel on him after just one season, especially when Kyle Allen hasn’t exactly shown he’s capable of being a reliable No. 2 option in the NFL. More than likely, Allen was brought in to provide competition and push the bottom of the depth chart — not to replace Hooker outright.
Ultimately, the decision lies with GM Brad Holmes. If he does decide to part ways with Hooker down the line, it’ll be because he believes it’s what’s best for the team — not because of a one-off signing.