The Detroit Lions are setting up a quarterback competition behind Jared Goff this summer, but one insider suggests that both candidates could end up finding their way onto the active roster.
The Lions signed veteran Kyle Allen to provide some competition to Hendon Hooker, the former third-round pick who has struggled at landing the No. 2 job on his own. SI.com’s Emmett Matasovsky suggested that the team could end up keeping both, providing a greater level of depth behind Goff for the coming season.
Lions Could Bulk Up at Backup Quarterback This Summer
Matasovsky predicted that Allen’s experience in the NFL could give him a big advantage this summer, especially for a Lions team that has been wary about giving the job to Hooker.
“Kyle Allen is a seven-year NFL veteran, and he was signed with the Lions in March to provide competition with 2023 3rd round selection Hendon Hooker. Allen is only two years older than Hooker, and has 31 games (with 12 starts) of experience at the NFL level,” Matasovsky noted.
Matasovsky noted that the Lions have been hesitant to go with just Hooker, coaxing veteran Teddy Bridgewater out of retirement for the final stretch of last season and the playoffs. With the team “not completely sold” on Hooker, Matasovsky predicted the Lions might end up keeping Allen as added insurance.
“With Hooker being a player the Lions spent high draft capital on, it is more likely that Allen would make the roster as a third quarterback, which makes his performance in camp and the preseason (along with Hooker’s) one to track,” Matasovsky wrote.
Allen has plenty of NFL experience, starting 12 games for the Carolina Panthers in 2019 and has a total of 19 NFL starts, completing 62.7% of his passes for 4,753 yards with 26 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Allen also spent time with the Buffalo Bills, serving as backup to Josh Allen.
The Lions have been high on Allen, with quarterback coach Mark Brunell sharing big praise for him.
“What we saw in Kyle was a quarterback who has experience. He has played, he’s been on multiple teams, different systems, very smart,” Brunell said, via SI.com. “What I loved about the tape we saw (was) he made good decisions with the ball. He managed very well. You can tell he was operating within whatever offense that he was in, and just has a good grasp on how to play at this level and has for a while. In our room, being a resource for Jared. Always being ready, that’s at the top of the list if necessary, but be a good resource for Jared, another set of eyes.”
Lions Could Have Other Plans for Hendon Hooker
Some insiders believe the Lions could have other plans for Hooker, the 2023 third-round pick who spent most of his rookie season rehabbing a torn ACL suffered during his final season in college.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder predicted last season that Hooker could eventually become trade bait after the Lions made a big financial commitment to Goff.
“The Detroit Lions gave Jared Goff a contract extension this offseason, which pretty much ensures Hooker will be a backup throughout his rookie deal,” Holder wrote. “Trading last year’s third-round pick to a QB-needy team sooner rather than later would allow the front office to maximize its return for him.”
