NFL News: Lions HC Dan Campbell makes major admission about Jared Goff’s backup QB

If there’s one thing that has defined Jared Goff’s time with the Detroit Lions over the past three seasons, it’s his consistency — starting every single game for the team during that span. Still, head coach Dan Campbell is intent on building depth and competition in the quarterback room, knowing that in the NFL, anything can happen over the course of a season.

With the addition of former Steelers quarterback Kyle Allen and the presence of young prospect Hendon Hooker — who joined the Lions in 2023 out of Tennessee — head coach Campbell has more than enough talent to foster a healthy competition behind Goff.

In recent comments made during the Annual League Meetings, the HC addressed the situation regarding Allen and Hooker — both of whom will go head-to-head in a battle to become former Rams QB primary backup.

“Hooker, no different than Allen, are competing,” he stated to the press. “The best way to help guys really reach their full potential is competition. You can say things. You can say things the best you can to prop them up. But at some point, you just have to go compete and it’s him or you. I anticipate Hooker’s going to compete. That’s what he does.”

Hendon Hooker #2 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field on November 17, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan.

While there’s still no official word on who will serve as Jared Goff’s primary backup to start the season, all signs currently point to Hendon Hooker having the edge in the competition.

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Brad Holmes weighs in on the Lions’ backup QB battle

When it comes to key decision-making, Lions GM Brad Holmes carries significant weight within the organization. This time was no exception, as he also addressed the ongoing situation involving both Kyle Allen and Hendon Hooker.

“I mean, look, it’s just competition,” Lions general manager said via detroitlions.com. “That’s all it is. I mean, look, we like Hendon, excited about him. I’ve always said about Hendon, you know, kind of a lot of steps on his journey coming out of high school and, you know, at Virginia Tech or Tennessee, like, it wasn’t immediately he was the guy.

“He had the injury that first year, then last year, that was the first year that he kind of was able to do a full year of training camp and during the season. And then we brought Teddy Bridgewater in just because we were gearing up for the playoffs and postseason and he just wasn’t ready yet, you know? And he understood that.”