The Detroit Lions are making strategic moves this offseason as they aim to remain a top contender in the fall, despite undergoing major coaching staff changes.
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left for the Chicago Bears, while defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn joined the New York Jets shortly after the team’s playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. With the coaching staff in transition, head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes are making key roster decisions, including at quarterback.
The Lions have bolstered their quarterback depth by signing veteran Kyle Allen, as announced by his agency, Vayner Football.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo confirmed the news, reporting that the Lions “have agreed to terms with veteran QB Kyle Allen, source says. Following a season with the #Steelers, Allen joins Detroit’s quarterback room behind Jared Goff.”
Allen, 29, spent last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, serving as a backup to Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. His last two starts came in 2022 with the Houston Texans. Allen brings seven years of experience and 19 career starts to Detroit’s roster, where he joins Goff and backups Hendon Hooker and Jake Fromm.
Although some believe Hooker’s future in Detroit is uncertain, analysts argue otherwise. Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News stated on March 13 that “it’s probably safe to assume the job of Hooker, a developmental quarterback Detroit selected in the third round of the 2023 draft, is safe.”
Bianchi added, “We might have to wait until training camp to learn the fate of Fromm, who will probably be Allen’s primary competition.”
“Detroit’s decision to demote Hooker late last season seemed to indicate that the Lions aren’t very high on the former Vol,” Ragan wrote on March 14. “And Detroit’s decision on Thursday to sign free agent quarterback Kyle Allen just further adds to the speculation that the Lions aren’t all-in on Hooker as their primary backup quarterback.”
Ragan continued, “It seems unlikely that Detroit signed Allen to be the No. 3 quarterback. Maybe there’s a legit competition this summer for the primary backup job, but even if there is, this move seems to further confirm that the Lions aren’t high on Hooker.”
