Lions roster preview: Is Hendon Hooker ready to be QB2?

As we roll on with our 2024 Detroit Lions roster preview series, this time our own Meko Scott breaks down second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker over on the Pride of Detroit YouTube channel.

Previous previews: RB David Montgomery, WR Kalif Raymond, TE Sam LaPorta, TE James Mitchell, LT Taylor Decker, RT Penei Sewell, G Kevin Zeitler, C Frank Ragnow, DE Aidan Hutchinson, DE Josh Paschal, DT DJ Reader, DT Alim McNeill, LB Alex Anzalone, DB Brian Branch, S Ifeatu Melifonwu, and DT Levi Onwuzurike.

Hendon Hooker

Headed into the 2024 season, nobody is going to question whether or not the Lions have their starting quarterback figured out. Jared Goff’s performance over the last one-and-a-half seasons have made all of those old questions about his play fade to the point that they are now nothing more than distant memories. However, as football fans, we all understand injuries happen in this sport, and that is a big reason as to why the backup quarterback position has become more vital over the last several years.

With Hooker, the Lions knew they were getting a talented player when they selected him in the third-round of the 2023 NFL Draft. And since Hooker was still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered late in his final college season, he didn’t get any work in during last year’s training camp apart from mental reps. The majority of his rookie season was spent in recovery-mode, making his second year of development with the Lions even more vital.

Our own Meko Scott jumps into all of this and more as he examines the outlook for Hooker this season, and whether or not he believes Hooker is ready to settle in as the backup quarterback for a team that has championship aspirations.