Breaking news from the NFL scene—Ben Johnson could very well be on his way out of Detroit, potentially taking over as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. If that happens, he’s likely bringing a few familiar faces with him, including some of his coaching staff, as we discussed earlier. However, there’s more to this story, and it’s a potential player move that’s starting to gain traction.
According to Hondo Carpenter, the Raiders’ beat writer for Sports Illustrated, there’s growing speculation that the Raiders could trade for Hendon Hooker, the Detroit Lions’ quarterback, if they hire Johnson. In a recent statement, Carpenter said, “[Hooker] already knows the Ben Johnson system and what if you get him for a second [round pick], or whatever you get him for,” (via RaidersBeat.com). He continued, “I think that’s fascinating. I don’t think it’s getting enough attention, so I’m throwing it out there… I think that’s a very viable option for the Raiders. I’m not in any way reporting it’s done. Detroit would have to want to do the deal, but I think if the Raiders were to get Ben Johnson and he’s clearly the front runner…I think [Hooker] is a real possibility and I did not come up with that on my own.”
For the Lions, this could actually be a smart move. Hendon Hooker has shown some potential, but he’s still not fully trusted as the long-term answer for Detroit, especially with the Lions bringing Teddy Bridgewater out of retirement a few weeks ago. The prevailing belief is that if Detroit needed a backup quarterback, they’d turn to Bridgewater first. Earlier in the year, there was talk of Detroit carrying three quarterbacks, but Nate Sudfeld’s poor preseason performance may have altered that plan.
Additionally, with Hooker turning 27 and the Lions fully committed to Jared Goff for the foreseeable future, Hooker’s future with the team seems uncertain. If the Lions can get a second-round pick for him, it might be wise to pull the trigger. Honestly, if the Raiders offer that, the Lions should jump on it immediately. A third-round pick is likely more realistic, but still a solid return for a quarterback who hasn’t proven himself as a starting option in Detroit.
Looking ahead, the Lions could be better off targeting a younger quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. If I had to make a call, Jaxon Dart of Ole Miss seems like a prime candidate, especially if the Lions can grab him in the bottom of the first round or with a trade-up in the second. At just 21 years old, Dart has a lot of potential and could develop into the mobile, big-armed quarterback that the NFL is trending toward by 2027 or 2028.
We’ll keep monitoring the situation, but don’t be surprised if Hendon Hooker is wearing the Raiders’ black and silver by 2025.
