When Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the media on the opening day of training camp in July 2025, he didn’t mince words. His message was short, pointed, and unmistakably directed toward one of the most intriguing players on the roster. “It’s his move,” Campbell said, referring to former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker. For a coach known for his directness, fire, and no-nonsense leadership style, those words weren’t tossed out casually—they were a public challenge, a green light, and a declaration all in one. And for Hooker, they marked the moment where speculation ends and performance begins.
Hooker was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. It was a pick that intrigued many and surprised some. Hooker had been coming off a standout college career at Tennessee, where he led one of the most explosive offenses in the country, threw for over 3,100 yards and 27 touchdowns in just 11 games in his final year, and became a legitimate Heisman candidate before tearing his ACL in November 2022. The injury ended his college campaign prematurely and cast doubt on his NFL trajectory, but Detroit saw something in him. They knew 2023 would be a “redshirt” year, as Campbell put it. Hooker needed to recover physically, acclimate mentally, and learn the intricacies of playing quarterback at the pro level. For the past two years, that’s what he’s done—quietly, steadily, in the shadows of starter Jared Goff and the media spotlight.
Now, entering his third NFL season, there are no more excuses, and Campbell made that abundantly clear. “He’s got to show us,” Campbell said. “He’s got to run the offense, make the right reads, get us in the right play. It’s his move now.” The tone wasn’t confrontational. It was more like a challenge issued from one competitor to another. Campbell respects effort, toughness, and accountability. Hooker, by all accounts, has put in the work. What he hasn’t had—until now—is the opportunity to lead, compete, and define his role in a live training camp battle.
The battle in question isn’t for the starting job—at least not yet. Jared Goff, coming off a Pro Bowl season and a new contract extension, is firmly entrenched as Detroit’s starter. But behind him, there’s an open question. Who is the next man up? Who will step in if Goff is unavailable? And who could eventually take the reins if the situation ever shifts? That’s where Hooker enters the spotlight. Detroit added veteran quarterback Kyle Allen this offseason, clearly not content to just hand Hooker the backup job without a fight. The move signaled competition. It also signaled that Hooker would need to earn it.
That’s been a consistent theme under Campbell. Since he arrived in Detroit in 2021, the Lions have shed the image of a perennial underachiever and replaced it with a gritty, competitive, and often unpredictable identity. They went from rebuilding to contending in just a few seasons, culminating in a 15-2 campaign in 2024 that saw them reach the NFC Championship Game. Along the way, Campbell has made it clear that everything must be earned. Players aren’t given jobs based on draft status or reputation. They earn them with performance, consistency, and accountability. For Hooker, that means training camp isn’t just about making throws—it’s about showing command, composure, and progress in all phases of quarterback play.
Reports from early practices have been encouraging. Hooker’s timing has improved, his footwork looks cleaner, and he’s been operating the offense with more decisiveness. He’s benefited from a full offseason of work, something he didn’t have last year due to the tail end of his ACL recovery. Physically, he’s at full strength. Mentally, he’s been absorbing the playbook, understanding protections, and learning from Goff’s example. Coaches have noted the improvements. Quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell said Hooker has “taken real steps” in terms of his field vision and mechanics. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who’s been instrumental in crafting one of the league’s most efficient offenses, echoed that sentiment, noting that Hooker is “right where we hoped he’d be at this point.”
But again, progress in practice only goes so far. Campbell is placing an emphasis on action. The phrase “It’s his move” isn’t just about performance in drills. It’s about how Hooker responds in the moments that matter—live reps, scrimmages, preseason games, red-zone scenarios, two-minute drills, and sudden-change situations. In Detroit’s preseason opener last year, Hooker flashed both potential and inconsistency. He ran for 34 yards on four scrambles, showing his mobility and poise under pressure. But he also fumbled a handoff in the red zone—an error that could’ve rattled a young quarterback. Instead, Hooker bounced back. He engineered a long drive on the next possession, leading to the game-winning field goal. Campbell, watching from the sidelines, liked what he saw. “He cleaned it up,” the coach said afterward. “That tells me a lot.”
It’s those moments that define whether a quarterback can make the jump from potential to performer. Hooker has long been known for his maturity—at 27 years old, he’s older than some starting quarterbacks. He’s soft-spoken, studious, and often described as “unshakable.” Those qualities helped him thrive in Tennessee’s high-tempo offense, where he frequently made split-second decisions and protected the football with remarkable efficiency. But the NFL is faster, more complex, and less forgiving. Hooker doesn’t just need to be reliable. He needs to be able to win games if called upon.
That’s what Campbell wants to see. He’s looking for signs that Hooker can elevate the players around him, command the huddle, adjust protections, and take ownership of the offense. And while Goff is the established leader, there’s room for Hooker to grow into a more prominent voice. The Lions’ locker room is built around transparency, competition, and mutual respect. Veterans like Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell have praised Hooker’s work ethic and professionalism. They know he’s not here to coast.
