The Detroit Lions are preparing for key moves in free agency this offseason, with approximately $46 million in cap space available. While the franchise is in a decent financial position, general manager Brad Holmes may look to create additional cap room by parting ways with players on less favorable contracts.
Though the Lions don’t have many clear-cut candidates for release, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell suggests the team should consider moving on from quarterback Hendon Hooker.
“The Lions don’t have anybody playing meaningful snaps who sticks out as a likely cap casualty,” Barnwell wrote. “One potential candidate is the 27-year-old Hooker, who has thrown nine passes in two years. It seems telling that the Lions signed a quasi-retired Bridgewater at the end of the season and quickly pushed him ahead of Hooker on the depth chart, a move which ended up mattering when Jared Goff briefly left the playoff loss to the Commanders.”
“Hooker is owed only $1.3 million in unguaranteed money in 2025, but he’s too inexperienced to be a reliable backup and too old to be a quarterback of the future, especially after Goff signed an extension last May,” Barnwell added.
Drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hooker missed most of his rookie season due to an ACL tear suffered in his final year at Tennessee. The 2022 SEC Offensive Player of the Year saw limited action in 2024, appearing in three games and completing six of nine passes for 69 yards.
Late in the regular season and during the playoffs, Hooker was demoted to QB3 after Detroit signed Teddy Bridgewater on Dec. 26. Bridgewater, who had been coaching at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern Senior High School, returned from retirement after leading the team to a state championship.
While Hooker’s lack of development suggests he may never become a starting-caliber quarterback, releasing him wouldn’t significantly benefit the Lions financially. Cutting him would yield minimal cap savings while adding dead money to their books.
Detroit would be wise to retain Hooker for 2025, as the team should prioritize finding a more experienced QB2 behind Jared Goff. Despite his limited playing time, Hooker provides mobility and continuity in the quarterback room, making him a valuable depth option.
