Hendon Hooker Already Falling Behind in Lions’ Quarterback Competition After Just One Day of Camp
Hendon Hooker’s position as the Detroit Lions’ backup quarterback is uncertain, and the opening day of training camp didn’t help his case.
With Jared Goff locked in as the Lions’ starting quarterback for the foreseeable future, it was unexpected when the team selected Hooker in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, especially after trading up for the pick. At the time, Hooker was recovering from a torn ACL and was already 25 years old, making his rookie season essentially a developmental year.
Hooker secured the No. 2 role last season, largely due to the lack of competition from Nate Sudfeld. He appeared briefly in a few games, mostly during blowouts, offering little insight into his true potential. Later in the season, veteran Teddy Bridgewater was brought back and took over as the backup for the playoff game against Washington, signaling the team’s diminishing trust in Hooker.
This offseason, the Lions signed Kyle Allen, a move that further suggested skepticism about Hooker’s readiness. ESPN’s Ben Solak noted this signing as a possible indication of the team’s concerns.
On the first day of training camp, Hooker began as the third-string quarterback. Though early evaluations from reporters like Jeff Risdon weren’t overly negative—describing Hooker as a mix of strong throws and concerning misses—the depth chart position is telling.
Typically, Detroit rotates backups during camp, so Hooker is expected to get more reps. However, Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network noted that Allen is expected to offer stiffer competition than Sudfeld ever did.
The consensus seems to be that the backup job is Hooker’s to lose. But if Allen outperforms him, keeping Hooker as a third-string option may no longer be viable—especially after two full offseasons and training camps without significant development.
Although it’s only one practice, Hooker appears to be starting camp behind in the competition for the No. 2 quarterback role.
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