The Lions are set atop the depth chart at the quarterback position for this season, but the injury to rookie Hendon Hooker could leave them thin with respect to backup options at the start of the campaign. Despite that, an addition under center should not be expected at this time.
Detroit has Goff on the books for the next two years, but he is only due guranteed money for 2023, leading to questions about his long-term future in the Motor City. The Lions have given thought to extending the former No. 1 pick, though, so attention is currently focused on the team’s backup and third-string options while Hooker recovers from ACL surgery.
The Tennessee product will occupy one of those spots on the depth chart when healthy, but for now the only other two passers in place are Nate Sudfeld and Adrian Martinez. The former was re-signed after spending last season in Detroit, while the latter joined the team as an undrafted rookie. Each have received a vote of confidence from offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
“I love the room right now,” Johnson said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (subscription required). “There’s a great camaraderie in there and I think that’s really important when you define that backup quarterback position. It’s not only a guy that can go in and win games, but for the majority of the season, if all things go right, he’s there to support that starter… We have that right now, not only with Nate and Hendon and Adrian.”
Hooker’s ACL tear hurt his draft stock and helped lead to his drop to the third round in this year’s draft. Head coach Dan Campbell has already deemed 2023 a redshirt season for the 25-year-old, despite the expectation that he will be able to suit up at some point during his rookie campaign. On that point, Hooker is continuing to make progress during his rehab, and indicated that he is currently ahead of schedule.
The former Volunteer has resumed throwing, as detailed by Birkett, though it remains uncertain at this point if Hooker will be able to take part in training camp next month. Considering he suffered the injury in November, a return to full health by July would be quite impressive. Regardless of Hooker’s recovery timeline, though, the Lions are unlikely to be in the market for added depth at the QB spot in the coming weeks.
“The truth really comes out, I believe, when you have the bullets flying for real, which we can’t have right now,” Johnson added. “So, the training camp will tell us a lot about where we’re at behind Jared, but so far, [I] feel really good about that room.”
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