'It's his move' – Lions HC Dan Campbell sends strong message to former Tennessee Vols QB Hendon Hooker as training camp opens
Over the weekend, various reports indicated that former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker received third team reps during the Detroit Lions’ first training camp session. Hooker, a third round selection by the Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft, is battling veteran signal-caller Kyle Allen this summer for the No. 2 quarterback job in Detroit. On Monday, […]
Over the weekend, various reports indicated that former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker received third team reps during the Detroit Lions’ first training camp session.
Hooker, a third round selection by the Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft, is battling veteran signal-caller Kyle Allen this summer for the No. 2 quarterback job in Detroit.
On Monday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell was asked about Hooker.
Campbell told reporters that he was encouraged by what he saw from Hooker on day one of training camp, while also sending a loud message to the former Vol.
“Hooker knows the deal, man,” said Campbell. “This is no different — you’re out here to compete. And we gave him some things to do while he was at home. Talking about working on a little bit of the urgency, the footwork, certainly [he] continued training. And look, it’s only one day, but, man, I liked what I saw out there yesterday. There’s an urgency. I thought his footwork was on. I thought he was spitting the plays out. But there again, that’s day one.
“But he knows what it is. He knows it’s time to take the next step. And so, it’s his move. I think he’s wired right and it means something to him. And so here we go, man, it’s open camp.”
Hooker is entering year three with the Lions. And based on Campbell’s comments, it feels like this is his last chance to earn a key role in Detroit.
It sounds like day one went well for Hooker — even though he was relegated to third team reps — but there’s a long way to go before the start of the season. The next six weeks will be critical in determining the next step of Hooker’s NFL career.
‘The Chatter about Dalton Knecht was not good’ – Former Vols guard Dalton Knecht made it more difficult for the Lakers to trade him
Dalton Knecht’s future in LA is up in the air
