The Detroit Lions are gearing up for another battle at backup quarterback behind Jared Goff — and this one’s going to be interesting.
Hendon Hooker, who was a third-round pick last year and locked down the backup role after outplaying Nate Sudfeld, now has some fresh competition: veteran Kyle Allen. Allen’s been around the league, bouncing between five teams over seven seasons, and he’s coming to camp ready to challenge for that QB2 spot.
This won’t be a walk in the park for Hooker. He’s still early in his NFL journey, heading into just his second full offseason. Meanwhile, Allen brings a ton of game-time experience, with 31 appearances and 19 starts — 13 of those in his early days with the Panthers.
Even though he hasn’t started a game since 2022, Lions QB coach Mark Brunell says Allen’s past performances made a strong enough case to bring him in. What the Lions like? His decision-making, how he runs an offense, and just how seasoned he is overall.
“When we watched his tape, we saw a smart guy who knows how to manage a game,” Brunell said. “He’s played in different systems, made good choices with the ball, and you can tell he understands the NFL game.”
Back in 2019, Allen had a decent run in Carolina, going 5-7 as a starter, throwing for over 3,200 yards with 17 touchdowns and 16 picks — not perfect, but solid.
Brunell thinks Allen’s experience could give him an edge, but it’ll all come down to how comfortable and consistent he looks in the Lions’ system during offseason workouts.
And with the Lions set to play in the Hall of Fame Game, they’ll get an extra preseason matchup — meaning more reps and more chances for both guys to prove themselves.
Right now, it’s a two-man race between Allen and Hooker for that backup role. The good news? There’s already good chemistry building in the QB room.
“In year five, we’ve got another strong group,” Brunell said. “Jared, Hendon, Kyle — they all click. Kyle’s already mentoring Hendon a bit. There’s good vibes, and we’re happy to have him here.”
Kyle Allen Ain’t Done Yet — Puts Heat on Hooker for Lions’ QB Spot
