Former Vols QB unlikely to get a chance to start in the NFL anytime soon
When the Detroit Lions selected former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the speculation was that the North Carolina native would get a shot in either 2024 or 2025 to be the Lions' starting quarterback. But it doesn't look like that's going to be the case. Current […]
When the Detroit Lions selected former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the speculation was that the North Carolina native would get a shot in either 2024 or 2025 to be the Lions' starting quarterback.
But it doesn't look like that's going to be the case.
Current Lions starting quarterback Jared Goff is under contract through the 2024 season. That could be changing soon, though.
Goff's agent, Ryan Tollner, told The Athletic this week that he feels confident the Lions will offer Goff a longterm extension "early" in the offseason.
From The Athletic: Detroit feels like home, and Goff wants to remain the Lions’ quarterback for as long as he can. His contract is up after the 2024 season, which means Holmes faces a decision on an extension this offseason. Tollner said he’s confident the Lions will extend Goff early this offseason.
“They said all the right things to Jared and to me, that (this season) is not about him having to prove himself for another year,” Tollner said. “Inevitably, players always feel that way. If you don’t make a long-term commitment, then they feel like you don’t completely believe in them.”
If Goff is extended longterm, it would put Hooker in a more permanent backup role — at least for the final three years of his rookie contract.
Of course, who knows what the future holds. Hooker will likely step into a role as Goff's primary backup, which means he'll be just a snap away from being "the guy" for Detroit.
Goff has been mostly healthy throughout his career, but injuries can be unpredictable. There's also the possibility that Goff, who is 29, could regress after signing a longterm deal.
Either way, it appears that Hooker is just going to have to be patient. He'll eventually get a chance to start in the NFL — he's too talented not to receive a chance. But it might not be as soon as the former Vol is hoping.
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