ESPN makes strong statement about Hendon Hooker and the Lions that doesn't bode well for the former Tennessee QB's future in the NFL

Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker hasn't had the start to his NFL career that he probably envisioned. 

Hooker, a third round selection by the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft, has attempted just nine passes in the regular season during his first two years in the NFL.  

And based on the Lions' roster moves over the last three months, it seems unlikely that Hooker will receive much of an opportunity in Detroit in 2025. 

Late last season, the Lions signed Teddy Bridgewater out of retirement to serve as the team's backup quarterback in the playoffs, pushing Hooker to the emergency quarterback role. 

Earlier this month, the Lions signed quarterback Kyle Allen to serve as competition for Hooker. 

ESPN's Ben Solak believes that Detroit's decision to sign Allen signals that Detroit doesn't trust Hooker. 

"The Lions are making it clear they do not trust Hendon Hooker," wrote Solak this week. "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."

Hooker is already 27 years old, so it's not a shock that folks like Solak are already writing off the former Vol. I get it. 

But at the same time, I think that's quite unfair to Hooker. We learned during his time at Tennessee that Hooker is a bit of "gamer". The Greensboro, NC native, for example, lost the starting quarterback battle to Joe Milton ahead of the 2021 season. But when Milton was injured in the second game of the 2021 season, Hooker took over as the team's starting quarterback and never looked back, eventually winning SEC offensive player of the year honors in 2022. 

We need to see Hooker start some regular season games before anyone starts suggesting that he won't even be a reliable backup quarterback in the NFL. 

But unfortunately for Hooker, he's going to have to fight for that opportunity. For whatever reason, the former Vol isn't fortunate enough to receive opportunities that quarterbacks who proved far less in college, such as former Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis, have received in the NFL in recent years.

The best thing that can happen for Hooker this offseason is for Detroit to trade him to a team that will actually give him a chance to play so he can prove whether he can be a viable NFL quarterback.