Are the Detroit Lions quietly grooming Hendon Hooker as their future starting quarterback, or is he simply a trade chip? Hooker, a 2023 third-round pick, had a redshirt rookie season while recovering from a torn ACL. Though many expected him to be the Lions’ backup in 2024, he was passed over for Teddy Bridgewater in the playoffs, raising questions about his role.
Now, rumors are swirling about other teams’ interest, particularly the New York Jets, with NBC’s Rodney Harrison saying he’d trade for Hooker. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio suggests the Lions may be keeping Hooker hidden for a reason—perhaps as a potential successor to Jared Goff. If Detroit does believe in Hooker as their long-term solution, when will they make their move? At 27 years old, the clock is ticking.
