Lions Facing ‘Tough Decision’ on Struggling QB as Final Cuts Near

The Detroit Lions appear to have an answer for their summer quarterback competition, with veteran Kyle Allen emerging as the presumed winner of the No. 2 job.

What the team does with the other competitor, former third-round pick Hendon Hooker, could be a difficult decision. Hooker has struggled to secure the backup job behind Jared Goff since joining the team in 2023 and spending most of his rookie season rehabbing a torn ACL, and now the team must decide whether the keep him at the bottom of the roster or cut him loose.

Hendon Hooker Struggled Again

Hooker struggled in his first two preseason appearances this summer, then failed to seize his opportunity to make a strong final impression in Saturday’s finale. He went 6-of-11 passing for 70 yards in the team’s 26-7 loss to the Houston Texans, throwing no touchdowns with one interception.

Reporter Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News noted that the team has “a tough decision to make” on Hooker’s future and could decide to cut him loose rather than keep three quarterbacks on the active roster.

“Over four preseason appearances, Hooker went 22-for-40 passing for 187 yards, three interceptions and two fumbles,” Bianchi noted. “Not only did he not throw a passing touchdown all preseason, the Lions did not score a touchdown of any kind with him at quarterback over four games.”

Bianchi noted that Hooker appeared to drag the offense down around him, which could hurt some of the other fringe roster candidates.

“Hooker’s ineffectiveness in Saturday’s game was to the detriment of a couple receivers who are on the bubble entering cutdown day (Tuesday at 4 p.m.),” Bianchi wrote. “Neither Jackson Meeks nor Dominic Lovett, both of who are sitting firmly on the fence, ended up with a reception.”

Speaking to reporters after the game, Hooker said he tried to remain loose in the game and make plays when he could.

“I tried to make some throws when they were there, tried to make them when they weren’t there,” Hooker said.

Hooker was confident in his improvement through training camp and the preseason, though admitted that his two-fumble performance in the second preseason game was a career low point.

“I did improve each game,” he told reporters. “That second game was probably the worst ball handling I had in my career, which just wasn’t me. I thought I capitalized on things I needed to work on game after game.”

Lions Could Explore Quarterback Options

While it appears that the veteran Allen has won the No. 2 job, the team must decide whether to keep a third on the roster or try to sneak Hooker through to the practice squad.

The Lions could also look for some outside options for an insurance policy, including a familiar face. Veteran quarterback Nate Sudfeld spent time with the Lions before suffering a season-ending injury in the final preseason game in 2023.

He returned to the NFL this season and signed with the San Francisco 49ers, but was released days later and remains a free agent. Though the Lions would likely not want to see Sudfeld in a playing situation, head coach Dan Campbell has valued his leadership and preparation and he could make a strong practice squad candidate.