As Kyle Allen cements lead in backup QB race, here are the paths Lions can take with Hendon Hooker

Detroit — Let me start this column by telling you how I believed things would play out when the Detroit Lions signed veteran quarterback Kyle Allen in free agency this offseason.

I saw Allen as a means to an end, not a solution. I thought of his addition as a symbolic fire being lit under the ass of Hendon Hooker, to tap into the returning QB's competitive drive and push him to new heights more quickly. Initially, I considered Allen a minimal threat to unseat Detroit’s incumbent backup.

My stance softened a tad when I watched Allen’s film, particularly his preseason performance with the Steelers last year. Here's what I wrote following the tape study:

“The Allen that showed up last preseason, earning a roster spot as a third QB on Pittsburgh’s roster, is capable of pushing Hendon Hooker this offseason.

“Yes, it was the preseason, where the schemes are vanilla and the defensive talent is mostly backups, but Allen showed good command of the Steelers’ offense, had significantly fewer issues with the placement of his throws than he did in the two starts in 2022, and displayed toughness and mobility.”

Still, through last month’s Hall of Fame Game, my opinion remained unchanged: This was Hooker’s job, and it was only a matter of time before he proved that.

Two weeks later, I’m tapping my chest like a defensive back who blew an assignment. My bad.