By Sunday 
A Quarterback in Limbo
The Detroit Lions’ quarterback situation is becoming increasingly intriguing. When they drafted Hendon Hooker in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, it seemed like they were investing in a potential future starter. However, a year later, Hooker’s role with the team remains unclear.
With Jared Goff firmly entrenched as the starting quarterback and Teddy Bridgewater surpassing Hooker on the depth chart, the young QB has yet to prove himself at the professional level. This raises an important question: Are the Lions quietly grooming Hooker for the future, or is he merely an asset waiting to be traded?
Hooker’s Rocky Start in Detroit
Coming off a torn ACL suffered during his final college season at Tennessee, Hooker’s rookie year was always going to be a developmental one. Detroit was patient, allowing him to recover and learn from the sidelines.
Despite his college accolades, including being a Heisman contender before his injury, Hooker didn’t see significant action in his first NFL season. His playing time was limited to garbage-time appearances in blowout victories over the Cowboys, Titans, and Jaguars.
Even when the Lions needed a backup in crucial moments, they chose Bridgewater over Hooker. The veteran was elevated to the No. 2 role for Detroit’s playoff game against the Commanders, further diminishing Hooker’s status within the team.
Trade Rumors and Rodney Harrison’s Bold Take
With Hooker’s limited usage, speculation about his future has started to gain traction. NBC analyst Rodney Harrison recently suggested that the New York Jets should aggressively pursue a trade for the young quarterback.
“I’m gonna tell ya exactly what I’m gonna do,” Harrison said on PFT Live. “I’m gonna call Detroit, and say ‘hey, I’m very interested in Hendon Hooker, your backup quarterback.’ He’s healthy, he was a Heisman guy, until he got hurt at the University of Tennessee. I think this young man, I got a chance to see him often, he’s big, he’s smart, he’s an older guy, because he spent a lot of time in college…he’s very mature. But I would trade for Hendon Hooker. Watch out for that name.”
Harrison’s praise suggests that Hooker still holds significant value, at least in the eyes of some NFL insiders. But if the Lions believe in his potential, why have they kept him on the sidelines?
A Hidden Agenda or a Missed Opportunity?
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk took the discussion a step further, speculating that Detroit may have an ulterior motive for keeping Hooker under wraps. He suggested that the Lions may be reluctant to showcase his talent because they see him as a future starter.
“You know, Mike, I was thinkin’ about that, because I was very frustrated because I thought Hendon would get his opportunity,” Harrison added. “Then I started thinkin’, ‘this kid is a really good player, maybe they don’t want the rest of the league to see this kid play and see how good this kid is.'”
Could the Lions be quietly developing Hooker behind the scenes, waiting for the right moment to transition from Goff? Florio pointed to a historical precedent—when Sean Payton tried to trade for Tony Romo before Romo eventually became the Cowboys’ franchise quarterback.
If Detroit truly believes in Hooker as a long-term option, they may be hesitant to part with him. However, if they see him as a backup with no real path to starting, the trade rumors could soon become reality.
The Clock is Ticking
At 27 years old, Hooker isn’t a young prospect by NFL standards. If the Lions intend to make him their quarterback of the future, they don’t have unlimited time to do so.
On the other hand, if they aren’t convinced he’s the answer, moving him now while teams like the Jets are showing interest could be the best option.
For now, Hooker remains an enigma—either a hidden gem waiting for his moment or a valuable trade chip the Lions have yet to cash in. The coming months should provide more clarity on whether Detroit sees him as a future starter or simply a piece to move in the ever-evolving chess game of the NFL.