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Hendon Hooker Shares Self-Critical Take on Chargers Performance Ahead of Start vs. Falcons

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 8:30 AM ET

The Detroit Lions were thoroughly outclassed by coach Jim Harbaugh's Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night at the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, causing several Detroit players and coaches to go back to the drawing board in search of answers.

One of them is Hendon Hooker, the Lions' second year quarterback and former third round pick (68th overall) out of Tennessee who was named the team's starter against the Atlanta Falcons for Detroit's second preseason game this coming Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Hooker was extremely critical of his performance against the Chargers in video released on Sunday ahead of his first start of the preseason.

"A zero out of ten," Hooker said when asked to give his assessment of his performance during the first preseason game.

"It wasn't to my standards or to the team's standards of just being productive and controlling the huddle," Hooker added, "and making plays."

Hooker indicated that he knows how to handle the disappointment going forward and knows what to do to improve in the next game.

"Just play the next play. Short term memory. And just continue to motivate my teammates, that's what I'm here to do. Push my troops down the field and put the ball in the endzone," Hooker added about what he plans to do in the Atlanta game.

The former Tennessee Volunteers star completed three-of-six passes for 18 yards and an interception with no touchdowns this past Thursday.

He also ran three times for nine yards and will now take over for Kyle Allen, who threw two interceptions as the starter against the Chargers.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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