The Detroit Lions have been fairly quiet in free agency, mainly re-signing their key players, but they did bring in a few fresh faces, including veteran QB Kyle Allen. While Allen’s signing has caught some attention, it’s really set up an interesting battle for the backup quarterback spot between him and Hendon Hooker, the Lions’ former third-round pick.
General Manager Brad Holmes made it clear at the NFL Owners Meetings that the Lions don’t see Hooker as a guaranteed QB2, despite his role on the team last season. The fact that Hooker wasn’t trusted to be the backup in Detroit’s NFC Divisional Round against Washington says a lot about where the front office stands. Instead, the team called in Teddy Bridgewater, who had been out of the game for a while.
Now, Hooker faces a real challenge. Holmes said he has “high hopes” for the young QB, but no one’s job is safe, and if Hooker wants that backup role, he’ll need to earn it.
Allen, while not a star, brings a ton of NFL experience, having played in 31 games (19 starts) over his career with teams like the Panthers, Washington, Texans, Bills, and Steelers. He’s a career 62.7% passer, with over 4,700 yards and 26 touchdowns to his name. On the other hand, Hooker, with just one season in the NFL, will have to prove himself against a more seasoned player.
This backup QB battle might not grab headlines, but Lions fans will definitely be paying attention to see if Hooker can step up and claim that spot.
Backup QB Battle Heats Up: Hendon Hooker vs. Kyle Allen for Lions’ QB2 Spot
