ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions said earlier this offseason that there would be a competition for the backup quarterback position, and that thinking hasn’t changed.
Hendon Hooker is entering his third season with the Lions. However, they also added veteran backup Kyle Allen to the mix and are banking on the competition to give them the best QB2 option for a contender.
Back at NFL owners meetings, general manager Brad Holmes said they remain excited about Hooker’s development. But that nobody is handed a job based on draft position or a perceived ceiling, and they’re looking for more from the recent third-round pick.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said, “At some point, man, you just gotta go compete.” The franchise views this position battle with Allen as a chance to push Hooker to be his best.
Holmes and Campbell’s words were echoed by quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell and new offensive coordinator John Morton this week.
“Once again, Hendon finds himself in a position where he’s going to have to earn that second spot,” Brunell said. “It starts now. Obviously, it’s preseason. But it’s our OTAs, it’s anytime we’re on the field. It’s all of that. He’s off to a very good start, which is good. He’s getting better.”
Brunell added they love Allen’s experience and the fact he’s played in a bunch of different offenses at this level. The returning Lions quarterbacks coach said there is good synergy in that room early on, with everyone pushing each other to be better.
Allen last started back in the NFL back in 2022, when he got the nod for two games with the Houston Texans. His most extensive action came in 2019 when he started 12 times for the Carolina Panthers.
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Morton said he’s still learning about Hooker and getting a feel for him as a person and player. But what he knows is that he’s seeing improvement in his technique and footwork, not to mention how to get the ball out and read the defense.
The new offensive coordinator said everything has been smooth to this point, and that repetition will be king for Hooker’s chances.
Hooker, 27, appeared in three games last season, thanks to the Lions rolling to a couple of blowout victories. He completed six of nine pass attempts for 62 yards in those chances. But he lost his grip on the QB2 job in the playoffs, with Teddy Bridgewater coming out of retirement and re-taking his spot behind Jared Goff.
Holmes said that was all about Hooker not being ready for those moments yet.
“ ... he just wasn’t ready yet, you know? And he understood that,” Holmes said at owners meetings. “But still got high hopes for him, but nobody’s gonna be given a job either. So if Hendon wants to be the No. 2 quarterback, then win the No. 2 quarterback job.”
Brunell explained that the difference between QB2 and QB3 for him is all about the grasp of the offense, getting in and out of the huddle and adjusting to some of the tweaks with the new-look staff.
“What I look for is just being really good with your fundamentals,” Brunell said. “And then in preseason, obviously, once we get out in the games, and then maybe we have an opportunity to compete against other teams in practice: Moving the ball, moving your team, executing, playing at a high level.
“And (it’s) no different for Jared. Whatever his plan is for the preseason is probably very similar to what we’ve had in previous years. When you’re on the field, we expect you to move the ball. Top of the list: Make good decisions with the ball, be on time, be accurate, get us in and out of the right play, get out of the huddle, understand what we’re trying to accomplish.”