Detroit Lions general manager had a message and a challenge for both Hendon Hooker and Brodric Martin.
While Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has had a stellar resume when it comes to his four draft classes, two third-round picks from the 2023 NFL Draft stand out as rare question marks: quarterback Hendon Hooker and defensive tackle Brodric Martin. While both picks were made with long-term improvements in mind—both were clear developmental prospects—as each enters Year 3, there are questions about both their present and future roles. On Monday, Holmes essentially offered a challenge to both.
For Hooker, the message was very clear and very direct.
“If Hendon wants to be the No. 2 quarterback, then win the No. 2 quarterback job,” Holmes said.
This offseason, the Lions opted to sign seven-year veteran Kyle Allen to add competition to the room. While Allen signed a veteran-minimum deal and has not started a game since 2022, his overall experience is something Detroit’s quarterback room is lacking beyond Jared Goff. That said, Holmes still believes in the promise of Hooker, but he’s like everybody else on the roster: not above competition.
“We like Hendon, excited about him,” Holmes said. “I’ve always said about Hendon, you know, kind of a lot of steps on his journey coming out of high school and, you know, at Virginia Tech or Tennessee, like, it wasn’t immediately he was the guy. So, you know, he had the injury that first year, then last year that was the first year that he kind of was able to do a full year of training camp and during the season. And then we brought Teddy Bridgewater in just because we were gearing up for the playoffs. and postseason and he just wasn’t ready yet, you know? And he understood that. But still got high hopes for him, but nobody’s gonna be given a job either.”
The path isn’t so clear for Martin. Last year, the Lions signed Pro Bowl nose tackle DJ Reader to a two-year deal, and this offseason, the Lions added Roy Lopez on a fully guaranteed $3.6 million deal. That leaves Martin entering camp as the clear third-string nose tackle—a spot that is likely on the outside of the 53-man roster bubble looking in. Holmes didn’t mince words about Martin’s development: it’s now or never.
“Look, he’s got to be consistent,” Holmes said. “Obviously, you guys all know I was very clear and transparent that, you know, he was more in the developmental project bucket when we took him. But, you know, now it’s time for him not to just—because he brought flashes in the preseason. When he came from his injury, he brought flashes, but you know, he had some low points as well. So we need to see more of the consistency of the flashes and he just needs to be a consistent player.”
Throughout his first two years in Detroit, Martin has spent most of his time on the sidelines. Injuries and lack of development have held him to just five game appearances and 53 total defensive snaps. If he can’t justify his roster spot this summer in training camp, he’ll become the very first Holmes Day 2 draft pick to be released.