Dan Campbell Teases Hendon Hooker Could Be Traded or Cut After Lions' Preseason Finale

The Detroit Lions will have a new backup quarterback behind Jared Goff this season, and that could mean a change of scenery for Hendon Hooker.

At least that seems to be in store given head coach Dan Campbell's comments after Saturday's preseason loss to the Houston Texans when he was asked about whether the Lions will keep Hooker after he lost the backup competition to Kyle Allen.

"How much development do you believe there is? We're talking about Hooker right now, how much development do you believe there still is? Sometimes, does the player need a change of scenery?" Campbell told reporters.

Hooker has largely struggled in four preseason games:

• Vs. Chargers: 3-of-6 for 18 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT
• Vs. Falcons: 7-of-10 for 38 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs
• Vs. Dolphins: 6-of-13 for 61 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT
• Vs. Texans: 6-of-11 for 70 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT

Yet Campbell made it clear it wasn't entirely the Tennessee product's fault and said, "I wish Hooker—and I know he does—would have had a better outing, but you've got to take it with a grain of salt. It's not like he was playing with our first o-line out there, or first team skill position, all of that. You take that all into account as well. I thought he was prepared, I thought he was ready, looked pretty calm, and circumstances didn't work out today, that's all."

The Lions could cut Hooker with the hope he clears waivers and ends up back on the practice squad. Or they could look to trade him if they are going to move on regardless and get something back in return, even if it is just a late-round draft pick.

Detroit selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, but he has attempted just nine total regular-season passes in his career. That is a testament to Goff's durability, as the starter has appeared in all 17 games in each of the last three seasons.

If that pattern continues, it won't matter who is listed as the backup for the Lions.

Yet if a backup is needed, Allen offers more experience than Hooker. He has 31 appearances and 19 starts in a career that has included stops with the Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers. 

And that reality means Hooker could be on the move.