By Mummy Grace 
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell isn’t mincing words when it comes to third-year quarterback Hendon Hooker. As training camp kicks into high gear, Campbell laid out a clear challenge for the young signal-caller: it’s time to take the next step — or get left behind.
Hooker, drafted in the third round of 2023, has had time to develop behind starter Jared Goff and now-retired Teddy Bridgewater. But patience is running thin. With Goff firmly entrenched as QB1, the battle for the backup role is wide open — and Campbell made it known that the Lions are watching Hooker closely.
“He knows it’s time,” Campbell said during his presser. “This camp is critical. We want to see him grow, take command, and push himself into that No. 2 spot. He’s been in the system long enough. Now we need results.”
The competition is heating up with veteran Kyle Allen also in the mix. But Hooker isn’t backing down. According to Campbell, the 26-year-old showed better tempo, faster reads, and improved footwork on Day 1 of camp — all signs that he’s serious about claiming the job.
What makes this storyline more pressing is the Lions’ postseason ambitions. If Goff misses time, they’ll need a reliable option — not just a developmental project. And with Detroit’s Super Bowl hopes alive and well, the margin for error is slim.
Bottom line: Hooker’s time to sit and learn is over. The Lions are demanding more — and if he rises to the challenge, he could lock down one of the most important jobs on the team. But if not, someone else will.