There's an extension of a common saying that goes, and please pardon the clumsy paraphrase, "your actions are so loud I can't hear what you're saying." For, let's say about a year, the Detroit Lions have advanced Hendon Hooker as their No. 2 quarterback and given him leeway to develop.
All last summer though, there was talk of doing something this regime has never done--keeping three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster going into the season. Hooker did not truly overtake Nate Sudfeld as Jared Goff's primary backup until Sudfeld was bad enough to force it.
During the season, as the New York Giants prepared to waive him, a report surfaced saying the Lions were interested in Daniel Jones. When Hooker did play, albeit in blowout wins where throwing the ball was automatically limited, what he was asked to do as a passer was limited.
Then came the straw that broke the camel's back. Late in the season, after he had coached his high school alma mater to a state title, the Lions brought Teddy Bridgewater back. Dan Campbell was sure to note the move didn't mean they lacked faith in Hooker, while noting Bridgewater's supposed experience edge (one playoff start).
For the playoff game against the Washington Commanders, Bridgewater was the No. 2 quarterback over Hooker.
So it's been easy to consider the idea Hooker could be traded, even as the team made sure to get it's narrative to the contrary out there.
ESPN analyst says not-so quite part out loud regarding how Lions view Hendon Hooker
It's easy to criticize how the Lions have handled Hooker in some respects, as Tom Mazawey of Woodward Sports did earlier this month. At this point, any trade value Hooker might have had is next to nil.
ESPN's Ben Solak was broadly complementary of what the Lions have done in free agency, ranking them as his fourth-best class in the league. But the signing of veteran quarterback Kyle Allen seems to say something (again) about how the Lions view Hooker, and Solak hit the nail on the head.
"The implications behind the Kyle Allen signing. There's nothing wrong with the signing -- everyone loves a veteran quarterback at QB2. But the Lions are making it clear they do not trust Hendon Hooker. They replaced him at QB2 with Teddy Bridgewater last season once Bridgewater was done coaching his way to a high school championship, and Hooker will now battle with Allen for the same job. At this point, I'd be surprised if the 2023 third-round pick becomes a reliable backup anywhere. The Lions probably need a new developmental QB of the future."
The harsh reality with Hooker. which everything else extends from, is worth re-stating. He's 27 years old (note: Lamar Jackson is just a year older, almost to the day) and halfway through his rookie contract with no path to start for the Lions. He is hardly a lock to be the No. 2 quarterback next season, and the Lions have arguably crushed any trade value he has.
It's worth wondering what the plan was for Hooker when he was taken 68th overall in the 2023 draft, coming off a torn ACL, and if he has simply not developed like the Lions thought he would. But for all the lauding Brad Holmes gets for his savvy drafting, any initial thoughts that a top-70 overall pick could have been put to far better use have been proven.