The Detroit Lions are getting closer to the regular season and roster spots are starting to be decided. The backup quarterback position seems settled as Kyle Allen has taken the lead over Hendon Hooker entering the final week of preseason play.
“Yeah, I mean, he’s playing better, he’s playing better,” Campbell said via NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack when asked if Allen was leading the competition. “But I’m still – we’re going to coach Hooker up. We’re still going to see what’s there and see if we can get him better. I mean, we still got a little bit here.”
While Campbell left the door open for Hooker to reclaim the job, his comments seem decisive. It should put up the antennas of other teams that could be looking for a quarterback including a NFC rival that has a quarterback crisis of their own.
Lions Should Trade QB Hendon Hooker to the Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are set at quarterback with Jalen Hurts and Tanner McKee at the top of the depth chart. But the Eagles may be looking for a third quarterback after the performance of Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Kyle McCord during Saturday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Thompson-Robinson started the game but his performance was worse than the 5-for-8 statline would suggest. While his total output of 17 yards was affected by a 14 yard loss on a reception by AJ Dillon, the play was created when Thompson-Robinson threw a ball up for grabs while being sacked in the first quarter. He had another bad play in the third quarter when he mishandled a snap and tossed an interception to Cleveland’s KJ Henry, who returned the pick for a touchdown.
McCord’s statline was better, completing 8-of-16 passes for 47 yards and a touchdown. But he also refused to push the ball downfield with an average depth of target of 4.3 yards according to Pro Football Focus.
With Jalen Hurts used as a human battering ram in short yardage situations, the No. 3 quarterback has more importance in Philadelphia than it does for most teams. And the Lions could provide a reasonable solution if they dangle Hooker in a trade.
A third-round pick in the 2023 draft, Hooker’s days in Detroit appear to be numbered. While he threw for 6,080 yards, 58 touchdowns and five interceptions during his final two seasons at Tennessee, that success hasn’t translated to the NFL as he rehabbed from a torn ACL in his rookie season and spent the end of last season behind Teddy Bridgewater, who came out of retirement after coaching high school football.
While Allen opened the door with a two-interception performance in the Hall of Fame Game, Hooker hasn’t been able to capitalize, giving Allen the advantage for the roster spot. Campbell can also say they’re focused on Hooker, but with three years of coaching and virtually no improvement, the Lions may look to move on.
If that’s the case, it’s wise to call the Eagles and see if they’re interested in making a deal. It beats not getting anything for Hooker and could give the Lions a chance to keep another promising player as they prepare for next season.
