Did the Lions Mishandle Hendon Hooker? Analyst Says They’ve Hurt His Trade Value
The Detroit Lions took a gamble on quarterback Hendon Hooker in the 2023 draft, knowing he was coming off a torn ACL and would need time to adjust to the NFL. But after two seasons, Hooker has barely seen the field, and now analysts are questioning how Detroit has handled his development.
During the Lions’ playoff run, Teddy Bridgewater was elevated to QB2 over Hooker, a move that raised eyebrows. Woodward Sports’ Tom Mazaway went as far as saying Detroit “damaged” Hooker’s trade value by keeping him as an emergency QB in the postseason.
“If you’re making this kid your benchwarmer in a playoff game, that tells teams everything they need to know,” Mazaway said. “By the Lions dissing Hooker, I don’t think he has any trade value—maybe a seventh-round pick, at best.”
With Jared Goff locked in through 2028, Hooker has no real path to starting in Detroit. And now, with the Lions looking for a new backup, it’s clear they don’t see Hooker as the answer. Whether they keep him or trade him, it’s safe to say his future in Detroit looks uncertain.
Did the Lions mishandle Hooker, or was he never the right fit to begin with?
Lions Deserve Criticism for Their Recent Handling of Hendon Hooker
