Hooker completed seven of 10 pass attempts for 38 yards while gaining 27 yards and losing two fumbles on three rushing attempts in Friday's preseason game against the Falcons.

EDGE Analysis

Hooker got the nod under center for the Lions after struggling mightily against the Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game on July 31. The 2023 third-round pick didn't fare much better against Atlanta, coughing up the football on Detroit's opening drives in the first and second quarters. Fellow backup Kyle Allen (120 yards and two touchdowns) took over in the second half and outperformed Hooker yet again, giving the veteran signal-caller an early lead in the competition to be starter Jared Goff's primary backup in 2025.

Hooker will start Friday's preseason game against the Falcons, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hooker is competing with Kyle Allen for the top backup spot behind Jared Goff, who will get the night off. Allen started and played the first half of the Hall of Fame Game against the Chargers, while Hooker mustered just 18 passing yards and an interception in the second half of that 34-7 preseason loss. Hooker will likely get the first half of Friday's game.

Hooker took second-team reps at practice Monday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hooker was operating with the third-team offense behind Jared Goff and Kyle Allen during Sunday's first practice of training camp. The quarterback stepped it up a notch Monday, but he appears to be in a direct competition with Allen for the backup role ahead of the 2025 campaign. Hooker operated in the No. 2 role for the 2024 regular season but was moved to emergency QB in favor of veteran Teddy Bridgewater for the playoffs. Hooker has reportedly shown a strong early rapport with rookie wideouts Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic, but Hooker will have to get some more work with the starters in order for Detroit to get a full read on him prior to his third year in Detroit.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said Hooker knows that it's time to "take the next step" in his career.

EDGE Analysis

Campbell also mentioned being impressed by Hooker's urgency and footwork at the beginning of training camp. The 27-year-old spent all of last season as Detroit's No. 2 quarterback, ultimately attempting just nine passes with Jared Goff staying healthy throughout the year. Now entering the third year of his rookie contract, Hooker will face competition from Kyle Allen this summer. There was some thought Hooker might eventually replace Goff after the Lions made him a third-round pick in 2023, but Goff has since led offenses that ranked fifth and first in points scored, earning a four-year, $212 million extension in the process. The Lions essentially are tied to Goff through 2027, one year beyond the length of Hooker's rookie contract (2023-26).

Hooker completed six of nine passes for 62 yards while adding five carries for two yards over three games in 2024.

EDGE Analysis

Hooker operated as Jared Goff's primary backup option in 2024, ultimately seeing marginal action with Goff starting all 17 regular-season contests. Hooker was demoted to the No. 3 option at quarterback when Detroit signed Teddy Bridgewater in late December after Bridgewater had previously retired prior to the year. Nonetheless, with Bridgewater entering free agency, Hooker will presumably enter the 2025 campaign as Goff's top backup.

Hooker (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Commanders, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hooker operated as the backup to Jared Goff for the entire season, though he'll serve as the emergency quarterback in the Lions' playoff opener. Teddy Bridgewater has taken over as second on the depth chart.

Hooker looks to have won the No. 2 QB job following Nate Sudfeld's release Tuesday morning, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Lions could try to bring Sudfeld back after cutdown day as either a member of the 53-man roster or practice squad, but the willingness to risk losing him hints at Hooker moving up on the depth chart. While Sudfeld worked ahead of the Tennessee product throughout the preseason, Hooker ultimately performed at a higher level, completing 29 of 44 passes (65.9 percent) for 300 yards, one touchdown and one interception, with 19 carries for 138 yards and another score. His impressive rushing stats suggest the 2023 third-round pick would at least have value in two-QB and Superflex leagues if he got a chance to fill in for Jared Goff. Hooker might even be useful in one-QB formats, combining mobility with superb team context under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

Hooker completed 12 of 20 passes for 114 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Saturday's 24-17 preseason win over the Steelers.

EDGE Analysis

Hooker drew the start with neither Jared Goff nor Nate Sudfeld in action. He unsurprisingly struggled in the early series during which the Steelers' played some of their starters, but he did rebound to lead a 12-play, 72-yard touchdown drive just before halftime which concluded with a two-yard touchdown pass. Hooker looks to have the third quarterback position in his grasp heading into the regular season.

Head coach Dan Campbell stated Tuesday that he'd like Hooker to start Saturday against the Steelers, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hooker is currently in a battle with Nate Sufeld for the backup quarterback job behind Jared Goff. The second-year pro was arguably the better performer in the Lions' win over the Chiefs last Saturday, completing 12 of 15 passes for 150 yards while he also rushed for a touchdown.

Hooker completed 12 of 15 pass attempts for 150 yards in Saturday's preseason game against Kansas City while running for 11 yards and one touchdown on five attempts.

EDGE Analysis

Hooker has overcome the concussion he suffered Aug. 8 and was able to play the entire second half Saturday after Nate Sudfeld handled the first. The 2023 third-round pick out of Tennessee presumably figures into Detroit's roster plans through at least the 2024 season, but the competition with Sudfeld for the QB2 role behind Jared Goff might be ongoing. The two quarterbacks had comparable overall performances Saturday, but Hooker's 80.0 percent completion rate was markedly more efficient than Sudfeld's 51.9 percent figure.