Detroit Lions Quarterback on the Chopping Block

Detroit Lions fans would likely prefer to forget about the team’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, July 31, which resulted in a dismal 34-7 spread. It was simply an embarrassing showing from the Lions and hopefully isn’t a sign of what’s to come.

One of the Detroit Lions’ biggest weaknesses showed its ugly face during the Chargers game, and that’s their Q2 situation. Brad Allen has never seemed to focus on having a solid backup quarterback for Jared Goff, and that’s a move that could cost them if they ever do need to rely on a backup.

During Thursday’s game, Dan Campbell started with quarterback Kyle Allen, who did not have a good game. Then, Hendon Hooker took the field, and that didn’t go well, either. So, it’s possible the Lions will be looking for a new backup quarterback soon, or at least they should strongly consider it.

Both Detroit Lions Quarterbacks Didn’t Perform Well

The Lions are licking their wounds after the Chargers game. In a feature published on Friday, Aug. 1, Nick Halden of Detroit Jock City states the truth that the Detroit Lions “had reason not only for frustration with Allen, but Hendon Hooker as well, who looked equally lost on the football field.”

He adds that “making this all the more concerning is the fact that Allen was going against a lot of pieces who will never take the field in the 2025 season. Still, the quarterback couldn’t move the ball and consistently created turnovers.”

It would be really ugly to see these guys perform this way against starting players in the case of Goff being injured. Allen was looking to be quarterback No. 2, but can Campbell really rely on him now? For someone who has started in 19 NFL games, he sure didn’t look like it on Thursday.

“If Jared Goff goes down for any extended time, it isn’t a hot take to believe the season is lost,” Halden states. “Nearly every team in the league has this perspective if it loses its starting quarterback. However, the majority of the league has put together a quarterback room capable of buying a game or two if a short-term injury strikes. The Lions owe it to themselves and the fan base to learn from this and upgrade from Allen.”

It’s Possible Both Lions Quarterbacks’ Days Are Numbered

So, he sees Allen’s days being numbered, at least as Q2. Frankly, I don’t see Hooker being with Detroit long, either.

It’s a reality that every other team in the NFL is taking their quarterback No. 2 situation seriously, but it doesn’t seem like the Detroit Lions are doing that. It’s time for the Lions to work out a trade or do something, anything, to give this team a chance if Goff goes down. I would have loved to have seen Lions get Cooper Rush as Q2 this season. Rush is a Michigan native who played football at Lansing Catholic High School and started his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. In March of this year, Rush signed a two-year, $6.2 million deal valued up to $12.2 million with the Baltimore Ravens, because they knew the value of a good Q2.