The Detroit Lions’ playoff loss to the Washington Commanders was a heartbreaker, but it also revealed a harsh truth about the team’s quarterback situation: Hendon Hooker’s time in Detroit might be over before it even began.
When Jared Goff went down with an injury, it was Teddy Bridgewater, not Hooker, who got the call to step in. That decision speaks volumes about the Lions’ confidence in Hooker, and it’s not a good sign for the young quarterback’s future.
Hooker was a highly touted prospect coming out of Tennessee, but he’s barely seen the field in two years. He’s thrown just nine passes, and the Lions clearly don’t see him as a reliable backup, let alone a potential starter.
With Goff locked in as the franchise quarterback and Bridgewater now seemingly ahead of Hooker on the depth chart, there’s simply no room for Hooker in Detroit. He’s too old to be a developmental prospect, and he’s not proven enough to be a trusted backup.
The Lions are likely to cut their losses and move on from Hooker this offseason. It’s a tough break for a talented player, but it’s the reality of the NFL. Sometimes, things just don’t work out, and it seems like Hooker’s time in Detroit has come to an end.
