Detroit Lions: Could Trade Star QB Before Next Season

The Detroit Lions are one of the most dominant and complete teams in the NFL this season. Sitting alone at the top of the NFC with a record of 9-1. A large part of Detroit’s success has been due to quarterback Jared Goff’s efficient play. Goff has completed 73% of his passes this season while throwing for 2,492 yards and 20 touchdown passes. He does however also have nine interceptions, five of them coming in a single game.

However, the Lions did draft a quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft. This was with the intention of having someone there to replace Goff eventually, but after Goff’s stellar 2023 season leading Detroit all the way to the NFC Championship game and this season looking even better, it’s fair to say Jared Goff isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Detroit Lions Could Trade Away Quarterback

Former Tennessee Volunteers star quarterback Hendon Hooker could be on the move next season. The Lions drafted Hooker in the third round of the 2023 draft. The former Tennessee product was thought to potentially be a first round talent, some analysts even ranked him as one of their top quarterbacks of the draft, right alongside CJ Stroud and Bryce Young.

Unfortunately, in his final season at Tennessee the star quarterback would suffer a torn ACL. This injury is what significantly hurt Hooker’s draft stock heading into the NFL Draft process. Throughout his college career at both Virginia Tech and Tennessee, Hooker would pass for 8,974 yards and 80 touchdowns to only 12 interceptions. The star quarterback would also rush for 2,079 yards and have 25 rushing touchdowns.

Landing Spots For Hendon Hooker in 2025

There are plenty of NFL teams in desperate need of a starting caliber quarterback, especially one willing to come in on a cheap contract and prove he belongs. Hendon Hooker showed signs of being a truly talented quarterback in college. Being stuck behind Jared Goff on the Lions depth chart has only made him better, he’s had time to sit and learn with the minds of Goff, Ben Johnson, and Dan Campbell.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders make sense if they retain Head Coach Antonio Pierce. Because Pierce was a big fan of trying to trade up and select Jayden Daniels in this past draft. He also worked with Daniels at Arizona State, so Pierce has experience with a more versatile quarterback like Hooker.

New York Giants

The Giants have just benched starter Daniel Jones and appear to be tanking for the first overall pick. So, they may draft their future starter there but if they wanted to bring Hooker in and draft a playmaker like Travis Hunter at first overall it could be a franchise altering move.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are currently in salary cap hell. Deshaun Watson’s contract has made it very hard for the team to invest in a quality replace for the dud passer. Hendon Hooker could be an affordable replacement that brings a lot of the skillset Cleveland was hoping Watson would bring from Houston.

Miami Dolphins

This one is very contingent on the future of current starter Tua Tagovailoa. Given Tua’s concussion history, nobody would blame him if he suddenly retired this off-season. Plugging Hooker into the Miami offense with stars like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane could be a dangerous pairing. Coach Mike McDaniel could help the former Vol reach his true NFL potential.