By Moses Joshua 
With questions surrounding the backup quarterback position, Detroit may be preparing to move on from an underperforming signal-caller before Week 1.
Quarterback Shake-Up Brewing in Detroit
The Detroit Lions are riding a wave of national attention following a breakthrough 2024 campaign. With their NFC Championship Game appearance still fresh in fans’ minds, expectations for the upcoming 2025 season are sky-high. But with those expectations comes scrutiny—and nowhere is the spotlight hotter right now than in Detroit’s quarterback room.
With Jared Goff firmly entrenched as the starter, the conversation has turned to who will back him up. The options currently on the depth chart—Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen—have sparked more concern than confidence among analysts and fans alike. As the team transitions into a new coaching era without offensive coordinator Ben Johnson or defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, the Lions may be forced to make a bold move under center.
Hooker’s Stalled Development Raises Eyebrows
Hendon Hooker, Detroit’s 2023 third-round pick, was once seen as a potential future starter. But entering his third year, the former Tennessee standout hasn’t developed as expected.
“Goff is firmly established as Detroit’s franchise quarterback, but 2023 third-round pick Hendon Hooker didn’t take a step forward in his sophomore year,” FanSided’s Chris Schad noted. That assessment has led to speculation that the Lions may be rethinking Hooker’s long-term viability.
While injuries and inexperience slowed Hooker’s progress early on, his lack of preseason buzz and minimal reps during offseason workouts have raised red flags. With a Super Bowl window potentially open, Detroit might not be able to afford more patience.
Allen’s Experience May Not Be Enough
The Lions also signed veteran Kyle Allen to add competition behind Goff. But Allen’s résumé has been less than convincing. Over a seven-year career, he holds a 7-12 record as a starter and an 82.3 passer rating—hardly numbers that scream “reliable backup.”
Schad points out that “he has been a mixed bag when called upon,” and that’s exactly the kind of uncertainty Detroit doesn’t need in a season with championship aspirations. If Allen fails to stand out in training camp, he could be the odd man out.
Aidan O’Connell or Carson Wentz? Options on the Table
With Hooker and Allen underwhelming, speculation is growing that Detroit may look externally for help.
One possible option? Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell. A 2023 fourth-round pick, O’Connell has flashed potential and may be expendable under new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll. Schad argues that “finding a quarterback who can make the right decision in the right moment is something Detroit should be looking for,” and O’Connell could offer just that—especially at the cost of a late-round draft pick.
Alternatively, veteran Carson Wentz is being floated as another option. In a separate FanSided piece, Michael Bohlin writes that “having a stable veteran presence who has proven the ability to run an offense at a high level during his career would ease concerns.”
Wentz, who has starting experience and playoff exposure, might be exactly the type of backup that gives the Lions peace of mind—particularly if the unthinkable happens and Goff goes down.
A Surprise Cut on the Horizon?
While nothing is official yet, the growing chatter suggests that Detroit could part ways with at least one quarterback currently on the roster—likely Kyle Allen or, in a more dramatic twist, Hendon Hooker.
As Bohlin notes, “trusting [Wentz] makes more sense than adding a young quarterback who has less experience in high-pressure situations.” If the Lions agree with that logic, it could signal the end of the road for a familiar face in the quarterback room.
With training camp just weeks away, Detroit’s front office may have a tough decision looming—one that could redefine their QB depth chart before the season even begins.