By Moses Joshua 
Hendon Hooker’s performance casts doubt on his future with the Lions
A Rocky Start to the Offseason
The Detroit Lions’ offseason got an early jump thanks to their scheduled appearance in the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. But for second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker, that extended opportunity may have only made his situation murkier. While many Lions players used organized team activities (OTAs) to make a strong impression on Dan Campbell’s staff, Hooker unfortunately didn’t rise to the occasion.
As the Lions head into a quiet stretch before training camp opens in July, Hooker’s stock appears to be falling at a time when it most needed to rise.
Fumbled Opportunity in the Backup Battle
Hooker entered the offseason in a precarious position. Despite being a third-round pick in 2023, his development has lagged behind expectations, prompting Detroit to sign veteran Kyle Allen in free agency. That move signaled a lack of trust in Hooker as a viable QB2 behind starter Jared Goff.
The writing was already on the wall: Hooker had to prove himself this spring or risk losing relevance in the Lions’ quarterback hierarchy—or worse, becoming trade bait with declining value.
Unfortunately, his performance during OTAs left much to be desired. Reports from A to Z Sports’ Mike Payton painted a troubling picture of inconsistency and indecision. Hooker, he wrote, was frequently “missing deep throws, holding onto the ball too long, or getting rid of it too fast.” It was the kind of erratic play that raised more questions than answers about his readiness for a bigger role.
Further criticism came from Pride of Detroit’s Jeremy Reisman, who noted that Hooker repeatedly overthrew receivers during May 30 drills. With Allen also struggling, the OTA sessions were a golden opportunity for Hooker to separate himself in the battle for the backup job. Instead, he failed to seize the moment.
Where Does He Go From Here?
The most concerning part of this storyline is that there’s no immediate redemption window. With the Lions opting out of a mandatory minicamp, Hooker’s next chance to turn things around won’t come until training camp. That leaves a long stretch where coaches, fans, and potential trade suitors are left dwelling on his OTA shortcomings.
Hooker still has talent—the same arm strength and athleticism that once made him a Heisman hopeful at Tennessee. But NFL quarterbacking is about more than flashes of promise. It’s about consistency, decision-making, and showing you belong under pressure.
If Hooker is to remain in Detroit—or carve out a new opportunity elsewhere—he’ll need a commanding performance once camp opens. Anything less, and his future with the franchise could be in serious jeopardy.
A Career Crossroads Approaches
Every NFL offseason is full of chances—some players take a leap, others fade quietly into the background. For Hendon Hooker, 2025 may well define the trajectory of his career. The physical tools are still there, but time and patience are running short. With his window to impress narrowing, Hooker must deliver—decisively and soon.
Detroit will be watching. So will the rest of the league.