After a rough Hall of Fame Game, Dan Campbell didn’t mince words: the Lions need better from their backup quarterbacks. And this week, he’s giving Hendon Hooker a full half to prove it.
In Canton, both Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen struggled—combining for three interceptions and a general lack of control in the offense . Campbell confirmed Hooker will start the preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons, playing the entire first half while Allen handles the second .
Hooker called his first outing a “zero out of 10”, admitting it didn’t meet either his standards or the team’s expectations . Still, Dan Campbell noted he made the right line checks and operated the huddle well—small positives the staff appreciated .
Heading into the Falcons game, both backups are hungry to bounce back and show Detroit they’re worthy of the QB2 job. With Jared Goff’s ironman streak in place, the Lions still believe either Hooker or Allen can be a reliable option if called upon—but a lot hinges on Friday night .
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🧠 What To Watch
Can Hooker deliver a cleaner, more confident half to regain momentum?
Will Kyle Allen bounce back after heading into the second half in Atlanta?
Which QB shows enough command and composure to lock in as Goff’s top backup?
Expect pressure from both players—because in Detroit, opportunity only comes once.
