Dorian Thompson-Robinson
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson in 2024.
The Detroit Lions ended the Hendon Hooker project this summer, parting ways with their former third-round draft pick after he failed to show much progress.
Though Hooker is now gone, one insider believes the Lions could find a new quarterback who could develop behind Jared Goff while playing a key role in helping the team prepare for some difficult opponents.
Lions Could Land Former Browns Quarterback
The Lions had pitted Hooker against veteran quarterback Kyle Allen this summer, ultimately deciding to waive the third-year Hooker rather than keep him on the practice squad. That could leave an opening for an outside quarterback to join the practice squad, with Ryan Love of USA Today’s Lions Wire suggesting that Dorian Thompson-Robinson could be a good option.
Love noted that the former Cleveland Browns signal-caller has some intriguing potential and could serve an important role as a scout team quarterback playing the role of some future opponents.
“Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson could be an interesting player to get on the Lions practice squad if he’d be willing to take it. DTR reportedly could end up playing in the CFL this season,” Love wrote. “However, Thompson-Robinson’s mobility could prove to be useful in practice as the Lions get set to take on the likes of Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, and Jalen Hurts again this season.”
Thompson-Robinson came into the league as a fifth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2023 and has seen playing time in both of his NFL seasons. He started a total of five games for the injury-struck Browns, completing 52.6% of his passes for 880 yards with one touchdown and 10 interceptions.
Despite his struggles on the field, Thompson-Robinson could have some potential and the chance to grow slowly as the practice squad quarterback in Detroit.
Love suggested the Lions could have some other options if they aim to add a third quarterback, including veteran C.J. Beathard.
“We’ve come a long way since Kyle Shanahan made C.J. Beathard look like he could last for more than a cup of coffee as an NFL starter, but those times have passed,” Love wrote. “Beathard is another veteran at 31 years old and eight seasons under his belt. He’s spent most of his career as a backup for the Jaguars, and could bring an established presence to the Lions practice squad.”
Lions Wanted to Give Hendon Hooker a Fresh Start
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said the team thought it was best to give Hooker a fresh start and the chance to sign with a new team, and he quickly found one. Hooker signed with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, with head coach Dave Canales saying he made a good impression on the team.
“Hendon Hooker is a guy that I loved in the process coming out of Tennessee,” Canales said, via MLive.com. “I had some great meetings with him. He really impressed me as a man, a really high character guy with a lot of talent, a beautiful motion, big strapping guy who can run. I think coach Campbell said it right, sometimes guys need a change of scenery.”