Why Detroit Makes Sense For Hendon Hooker

The Detroit Lions selected Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker in the 2023 NFL Draft despite having quarterback Jared Goff under contract.

The Detroit Lions are one of the better stories in the NFL. A franchise that has dwelled near the bottom of the league for most of the 21st century found an identity behind head coach Dan Campbell, going 9-8 in 2022 and challenging for a playoff berth.

The future looks bright in the Motor City. They had a productive season and have a host of young players they are hoping to build around. The rebuild started by trading franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff. Stafford won a Super Bowl with the Rams, but Goff had a strong 2022 campaign. He threw for 4,438 passing yards and 29 touchdowns in his second season with the team.

Despite Goff's efforts, team brass selected Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker at No. 68 overall. Detroit traded up to draft him after the Tennessee signal caller suffered a bit of a fall. Some analysts projected he would be a first-round pick, and the Lions pounced on the opportunity once he began to fall. Detroit had already netted some extra picks by trading back, meaning they didn't lose much by ensuring they came away with a quarterback.

In all likelihood, Hooker won't pry the job away from Goff before week one. He's still rehabbing from an ACL injury suffered against South Carolina, and Goff has been in the league for seven seasons. Campbell will give Goff every opportunity to win the job before they shift to Hooker, but it may end up working out for him.

The Lions already have a sound young nucleus. They drafted Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 overall, giving them a strong young back. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown logged 106 catches and 1,161 yards in his second season in the league, and offensive tackle Penei Sewell had a strong second season.

With a strong young team around him, it could benefit Hooker to sit behind Goff while rehabbing. Goff is a solid pro who knows how to perform; there are many things Hooker could learn from a quarterback who has played in a Super Bowl. He may not play much in year one, but he doesn't need to - the Lions are playing the long game.

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