It wasn’t that long ago that the Detroit Lions were constantly shuffling through quarterbacks like Joey Harrington and Charlie Batch, searching for a franchise leader. Matthew Stafford brought stability in the 2010s, and now Jared Goff has helped lead the Lions to their best run since the 1950s.
While Goff’s role as the starting quarterback is secure, the Lions’ backup situation is murkier — especially for Hendon Hooker, who faces an uphill battle as training camp approaches.
Drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hooker arrived in Detroit after an impressive college career at Tennessee, where he threw for 6,080 yards, 58 touchdowns, and just five interceptions in two seasons. However, a torn ACL late in his college days sidelined him for most of his rookie year. In 2024, he managed brief appearances in three games, completing 6-of-9 passes for 62 yards, but those snaps came in garbage time.
Worse yet, when Goff left briefly during Detroit’s playoff game against Washington, it wasn’t Hooker who stepped in — but Teddy Bridgewater, who had come out of retirement and joined the Lions midseason.
The Lions didn’t stop there. This offseason, general manager Brad Holmes signed veteran Kyle Allen, sending a clear signal that Hooker’s spot is far from secure. While quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell praised Hooker’s progress during OTAs, Sports Illustrated’s Vito Chirco questioned whether either Hooker or Allen can reliably fill in if Goff goes down.
“Just as was the case last year, if the Lions have to go to their backups for any extended period of time, they’ll be in trouble,” Chirco wrote. He acknowledged Hooker looks more prepared now than in 2023 but warned that Detroit would still be taking a big risk by leaning on him.
Hooker also faces another obstacle: his age. He turns 27 this season after spending four years at Virginia Tech before transferring to Tennessee. Missing his rookie year means he’s behind schedule developmentally, and even if he beats out Allen, there’s no guarantee he keeps his roster spot if the Lions look for a more experienced backup elsewhere.
With training camp just weeks away, Hooker must prove he belongs — or risk seeing his days in Detroit come to an end.
Aging Rookie? Hendon Hooker May Not Survive Lions’ Training Camp Cuts
