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PALM BEACH, Fla. – The backup quarterback job is up for grabs.
If the Detroit Lions didn't make that clear enough with their actions the past three months, signing two veterans to play behind Jared Goff, general manager Brad Holmes left no doubt about it Monday.
Speaking at the NFL's annual spring meeting, Holmes insisted he has not lost confidence in Hendon Hooker as Goff's primary backup but acknowledged he wants to see more from Hooker at quarterback.
"Still got high hopes for him, but nobody's going to be given a job, either," Holmes said. "So if Hendon wants to be the No. 2 quarterback, then win the No. 2 quarterback job."
Hooker has played sparingly since the Lions took him in the third round of the 2023 draft.
He missed most of his rookie season while recovering from a college knee injury and was inconsistent while splitting backup reps with Nate Sudfeld last preseason. In the regular season, he played three games of mop-up duty, completing six of nine passes for 62 yards.
The Lions signed Teddy Bridgewater in December to be Goff's primary backup for the playoffs and added journeyman Kyle Allen on a one-year deal in free agency this spring.
MORE: Lions 'most likely' will exercise 5th-year option on Jameson Williams, extension uncertain
Bridgewater served as Goff's backup and a mentor for Hooker in 2023, but retired after the season to coach high school football at his alma matter. He played three offensive snaps as the Lions' No. 2 quarterback in a playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, when Goff left briefly with an injury, and is expected to return to coaching this fall.
Allen, 29, has played seven NFL seasons for five teams and spent last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He went 5-7 as starter for the Carolina Panthers in 2019 and has started six games over the past five seasons for Washington (in 2020) and the Houston Texans (in 2022). Last year, he appeared in one game and completed his only pass for 19 yards.
The Lions also return Jake Fromm, who spent most of last season on the practice squad.
While Goff remains the Lions' unquestioned starter, Hooker, Allen and Fromm should get plenty of work during the Lions' formal offseason program this spring and once training camp opens this summer.
Holmes said the Lions signed Allen as "competition" for Hooker.
“That's all it is," he said. "I mean, look, we like Hendon, excited about him. I've always said about Hendon, kind of a lot of steps on his journey coming out of high school and at Virginia Tech or Tennessee, it wasn't immediately he was the guy. So he had the injury that first year, then last year, that was the first year that he kind of was able to do a full year training camp and during the season. And then we brought Teddy Bridgewater in just cause we’re gearing up for the playoffs and postseason, he just wasn't ready yet. And he understood that."
The Lions were awarded international marketing rights in Brazil for a five-year term starting with the 2025 season. Already, the team had marketing rights in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and parts of Canada. The Lions are one of four teams with marketing rights in Brazil, along with the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. The NFL will play its second ever game in Brazil this fall, with the Los Angeles Chargers as the host team.
Dave Birkett is the author of the book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline." Order your copy here. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions still 'excited' about Hendon Hooker, not naming him backup QB
Continue reading...
If the Detroit Lions didn't make that clear enough with their actions the past three months, signing two veterans to play behind Jared Goff, general manager Brad Holmes left no doubt about it Monday.
Speaking at the NFL's annual spring meeting, Holmes insisted he has not lost confidence in Hendon Hooker as Goff's primary backup but acknowledged he wants to see more from Hooker at quarterback.
"Still got high hopes for him, but nobody's going to be given a job, either," Holmes said. "So if Hendon wants to be the No. 2 quarterback, then win the No. 2 quarterback job."
Hooker has played sparingly since the Lions took him in the third round of the 2023 draft.
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He missed most of his rookie season while recovering from a college knee injury and was inconsistent while splitting backup reps with Nate Sudfeld last preseason. In the regular season, he played three games of mop-up duty, completing six of nine passes for 62 yards.
The Lions signed Teddy Bridgewater in December to be Goff's primary backup for the playoffs and added journeyman Kyle Allen on a one-year deal in free agency this spring.
MORE: Lions 'most likely' will exercise 5th-year option on Jameson Williams, extension uncertain
Bridgewater served as Goff's backup and a mentor for Hooker in 2023, but retired after the season to coach high school football at his alma matter. He played three offensive snaps as the Lions' No. 2 quarterback in a playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, when Goff left briefly with an injury, and is expected to return to coaching this fall.
Allen, 29, has played seven NFL seasons for five teams and spent last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He went 5-7 as starter for the Carolina Panthers in 2019 and has started six games over the past five seasons for Washington (in 2020) and the Houston Texans (in 2022). Last year, he appeared in one game and completed his only pass for 19 yards.
The Lions also return Jake Fromm, who spent most of last season on the practice squad.
While Goff remains the Lions' unquestioned starter, Hooker, Allen and Fromm should get plenty of work during the Lions' formal offseason program this spring and once training camp opens this summer.
You must be registered for see images attach
Holmes said the Lions signed Allen as "competition" for Hooker.
“That's all it is," he said. "I mean, look, we like Hendon, excited about him. I've always said about Hendon, kind of a lot of steps on his journey coming out of high school and at Virginia Tech or Tennessee, it wasn't immediately he was the guy. So he had the injury that first year, then last year, that was the first year that he kind of was able to do a full year training camp and during the season. And then we brought Teddy Bridgewater in just cause we’re gearing up for the playoffs and postseason, he just wasn't ready yet. And he understood that."
Briefly
The Lions were awarded international marketing rights in Brazil for a five-year term starting with the 2025 season. Already, the team had marketing rights in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and parts of Canada. The Lions are one of four teams with marketing rights in Brazil, along with the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. The NFL will play its second ever game in Brazil this fall, with the Los Angeles Chargers as the host team.
Dave Birkett is the author of the book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline." Order your copy here. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions still 'excited' about Hendon Hooker, not naming him backup QB
Continue reading...
