The Detroit Lions are in a solid position heading into the 2025 offseason, with Jared Goff firmly entrenched as the starting quarterback. However, the backup role remains uncertain.
With veteran Teddy Bridgewater set to hit free agency and his return to Detroit unclear, the Lions are currently planning to have Hendon Hooker, the 2023 third-round pick, as Goff’s backup. But it seems the team may not be fully sold on Hooker.
Evidence of this came when the Lions signed Bridgewater late in the season, bringing him in to serve as Goff’s backup. In fact, the team even chose Bridgewater over Hooker to back up Goff during their playoff loss to the Washington Commanders.
Now entering his third NFL season, Hooker has little chance of starting for the Lions, with Goff under contract through 2028. This, along with his demotion at the end of the season, raises the possibility that Hooker might seek a trade. TWSN’s team anticipates just that, naming Hooker as the one player the Lions could move this offseason.
TWSN believes that Hendon Hooker will be the Lions player most likely to be traded this offseason.
With one of the strongest rosters in the NFL, there aren’t many players on the team who would significantly improve the team if traded. Brad Holmes and the front office have secured long-term contracts for most of their key players, but Hooker seems to be the exception.
Hooker presents a solid trade asset, potentially bringing in a fourth-round pick for a team in need of a quarterback.
Trading him would also allow the Lions to pursue a more experienced QB who would be better equipped to step in as a temporary starter should Jared Goff get injured, something Hooker, due to his inexperience, may not be suited for.
Several teams in need of a young quarterback could show interest, with the Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers being the most likely candidates. Both teams have uncertainties at quarterback and could see Hooker as a potential long-term solution.
The Lions, however, will likely face a loss in the trade and won’t recover the third-round pick they invested in Hooker. Nonetheless, this shouldn’t discourage Brad Holmes from pulling the trigger, especially with Hooker’s future in Detroit looking increasingly uncertain.
