The Detroit Lions have issued their first unofficial depth chart of the summer, and it looks that they are sending a message to former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker.
Hooker, a third-round pick by the Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft, is competing with Nate Sudfeld for the No. 2 quarterback position in Detroit (behind starter Jared Goff).
Sudfeld, a former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback, was picked in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He’s appeared in six NFL games and made zero starts.
Suffice it to say, Hooker is the quarterback with more upside.
But it’s Sudfeld who is listed as the No. 2 quarterback on the Lions’ first unofficial depth chart.
Lions release first 2024 unofficial depth chart @DetroitPodcast pic.twitter.com/VfI9KMq82f
— Detroit Lions On SI (@AllLionsFN) August 5, 2024
There’s still plenty of time for the depth chart to change before the start of the 2024 season (and it almost certainly will), but it appears that Detroit is telling Hooker that the backup quarterback job isn’t his just yet — despite the fact that the franchise clearly hopes he takes it.
“Yeah, really, he (Hooker) just needs to take a step up,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell stated earlier this offseason. “We need to feel confident that by the end of camp, this guy can run this offense.” He can be someone we know, man, we can play the game a certain way with him because we know he’ll be able to digest the information, get us in the right play, and keep the ship going. That is it. We don’t need him to come in and win a game; you just want to feel OK.”
Campbell told reporters on Monday, before a joint practice with the New York Giants, that Hooker “needs reps”.
“He (Hooker) just needs reps,” Campbell added. “And it makes no difference whether it’s us, them, or a game; he just needs reps, reps, and reps. He needs reps before going to bed and again when he wakes up. So he can be out there at any time to run the offense and perform. It’ll be excellent for him.”
Hooker showed flashes throughout training camp this summer, but he also made some tough interceptions. It’s crucial to note, however, that Hooker missed his entire rookie season. And he’s only now getting his feet wet in Detroit’s playbook, which is vastly different from the up-tempo offense Hooker operated at Tennessee. It’s a gradual transition.
The Lions still have great aspirations for Hooker, but it’s evident that the former Vol will not be given the backup quarterback job in Detroit; he’ll have to go for it.
And I’m sure the very competitive Hooker wouldn’t want it any other way.