The Detroit Lions may have a problem at backup quarterback. Hendon Hooker, a former third-round pick out of Tennessee, was figured to take over the backup job, but not all has gone according to plan.
By many accounts, Hooker has had an up-and-down offseason. The young signal-caller has had flashes of brilliance, but several mediocre stretches at camp led to the team placing veteran Nate Sudfeld ahead of Hooker on the team’s first unofficial depth chart.
Unfortunately, Sudfeld had a rough game against the New York Giants to open the preseason. The quarterback completed 13-of-24 passes for 96 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception.
Hooker looked better than Sudfeld, completing 5-of-9 passes for 36 yards and adding 34 yards on the ground. Hooker’s night was ended early, though, after he suffered a concussion.
With Hooker recovering and Sudfeld struggling, the team added Jake Fromm on Monday. However, the team may need to take more drastic measures at the quarterback position — and there’s one obvious choice.
Ryan Tannehill is still a free agent. The veteran signal-caller spent the previous five seasons at the helm in Tennessee and revived his career, even earning a Pro Bowl bid during that stretch. With the Titans having Will Levis in tow, Tannehill was allowed to leave in free agency and has yet to find a suitor.
At this point, Tannehill can still be a quality quarterback if given the right supporting cast, something he didn't have in his last few years in Tennessee. He would immediately be one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league and a more sure thing than what the Lions have now.
Tannehill completed 64.8% of his passes and threw for 1,616 yards and four TDs in eight starts in 2023. He has infinitely more experience than Hooker or Sudfeld and would ensure the Lions can keep things afloat if Jared Goff gets hurt.
Adding Tannehill would give Hooker another veteran to learn under and would provide insurance for Goff. At this point in the year, Tannehill is the best QB on the market.
It’s clear that neither Sudfeld nor Hooker are ready to be the full-time backup.
