The Detroit Lions are in a bit of a quarterback pickle. After a strong offseason that solidified most of their roster, the backup QB spot remains one of the few weak links. Hendon Hooker, the former third-round pick, hasn’t exactly inspired confidence this preseason, and the question has to be asked: what could the Lions realistically get in a trade for him?
Spoiler alert: it’s not much.
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Why Hendon Hooker’s Trade Value is So Low
Let’s be blunt: Hooker has struggled. Through two preseason games, he’s completed just 16-of-29 passes (55.2%) for 117 yards, zero touchdowns, two interceptions, and two lost fumbles. That’s not the stat line of a quarterback knocking down the door for playing time.
Instead, Hooker has looked overwhelmed, hesitant, and at times like a deer in headlights. Meanwhile, veteran Kyle Allen has been steady, looking like a legitimate No. 2 option behind Jared Goff. Allen doesn’t have the high ceiling Hooker once carried, but he’s proven he can step in and keep the offense functional.
And here’s the kicker: Hooker’s trade value is bottoming out. At this point, the Lions would be lucky to get a 7th-round pick for him.
Detroit’s Options With Hooker
The Lions now find themselves with four very different paths:
Keep Him as QB3 – Detroit could stash Hooker on the active roster, chalking this up as ANOTHER developmental year. After all, he basically redshirted as a rookie while recovering from injury. But keeping three QBs takes away a roster spot from another position of need.
Put Him on the Practice Squad – This is the middle-ground move. But it comes with risk: any other NFL team could sign him to their 53-man roster. If the Lions believe Hooker still has a future as a backup, this gamble might not be worth it.
Trade Him – This is where it gets tricky. Hooker’s value is minimal, but all it takes is one team with a QB injury, or a coach who believes he can “fix” him, to part with a late-round pick. Realistically, that probably means a conditional 7th-rounder.
Cut Him and Move On – The nuclear option. If Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have seen enough, they could outright cut ties. This would be a tough pill to swallow, considering Hooker cost a third-round pick in 2023, but roster spots are too valuable to waste.
Why It Matters
The Lions are in a Super Bowl window. They can’t afford to waste resources, whether it’s roster space or practice reps, on a quarterback who may never develop. Every decision with Hooker impacts how the Lions handle injuries, depth, and roster flexibility this season.
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The Big Picture
At the end of the day, Hendon Hooker’s trade market is ice cold. Detroit’s best-case scenario is probably landing a conditional 7th-round pick, which is basically NFL speak for “please take this guy off our hands.”
But here’s the silver lining: Holmes has shown he’s not afraid to admit when something isn’t working. If Hooker can’t prove himself over the next couple weeks, the Lions may very well pull the plug.
The Bottom Line
The Lions hoped Hooker could grow into a long-term backup behind Jared Goff. Instead, they’ve got a quarterback who looks lost and carries almost no trade value. Unless a desperate team comes calling, Detroit is likely staring at two choices: stash him and hope for improvement, or move on altogether.