Tennessee native Hooker is a rookie quarterback who has not yet played in the NFL. In his senior year at Tennessee, Hooker suffered an ACL tear that prevented him from playing in the Lions’ preseason and regular season.
In the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hooker was chosen by Detroit. Before tearing his ACL, Hooker, a 25-year-old rookie quarterback, was expected to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft.
It’s unlikely that Hooker will support Jared Goff in any capacity this season. It’s possible that the Lions would rest Goff in Week 17 since they have nothing to lose, but it seems more likely that they will be vying for the NFC’s top spot should the Philadelphia Eagles falter in the coming weeks. In the NFC North battle, the Lions are currently leading the Minnesota Vikings by two games.
In his senior year at Tennessee, Hooker, a 25-year-old rookie, had an outstanding performance, throwing for over 3,100 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. The 2022 SEC Offensive Player of the Year is Hooker.
In practice, Hooker and seasoned quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will probably battle for backup quarterback duties in Detroit. The fact that Hooker is prepared to return to the field is encouraging for Detroit’s future, even though it appears likely that the Lions would turn to the veteran quarterback in the event that Jared Goff suffered an injury.
Given that Jared Goff is expected to become a free agent in 2025, Hendon Hooker may potentially play a role in Detroit’s long-term quarterback strategy.
