By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions enter this season with something to prove. After two straight strong regular-season showings, they’re still chasing that elusive deep playoff run. The talent is there. The energy is there. But they need results when it matters most.
Since taking over in 2021, head coach Dan Campbell has overseen a dramatic turnaround. His first year was a rough 3-13-1, but the rebuild picked up speed fast. In 2022, the Lions closed out the season 9-8. By 2023, they hit their stride—finishing 12-5 and making it all the way to the NFC Championship before falling just short against the 49ers.
Then came a monster 2024 campaign. Detroit went 15-2 and entered the postseason with high hopes. But just as expectations peaked, so did the disappointment. They were knocked out right after a first-round bye, cutting their playoff dreams short.
Now, with both offensive and defensive coordinators having moved on, there are skeptics out there questioning if this team can keep it going. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that this group thrives with something to prove. Campbell’s Lions play their best when their backs are against the wall.
Much of Detroit’s success this year hinges on quarterback Jared Goff. He’s got weapons across the board—Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery make up a dangerous backfield duo, Sam LaPorta is quickly becoming one of the top tight ends in the league, and receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams can cause chaos for opposing defenses.
Still, while the Lions are very much focused on the present, they haven’t lost sight of what’s ahead. That’s where Hendon Hooker comes into the picture.
Drafted in the third round in 2023, Hooker was seen as a high-upside project. At Tennessee, he was electric—throwing for over 6,000 yards and 58 touchdowns across just two seasons. Unfortunately, a late-season ACL injury in 2022 hurt his draft stock. But nearly three years removed from that setback, he’s fully healthy and ready to prove himself.
Now, with two years left on his rookie contract, the pressure is on. Hooker has a reputation for precision when working through his first or second read, but the question remains—can he keep that poise when the play breaks down? In college, he often only worked one side of the field. Now, it’s time to show he’s developed the vision and processing needed at the NFL level.
The Lions are evaluating whether Hooker can be a reliable No. 2 behind Goff—or even step in as a starter if the need arises.
Training camp is approaching quickly, and Hooker is about to get a real opportunity to prove himself. Every rep matters. Every snap is a chance to show he belongs—not just as a body on the roster, but as a true contributor. This is a defining stretch for him.
The moment has arrived. Now it’s up to Hooker to prove he’s ready for it.