Matthew Stafford will be returning as the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, but it’s become apparent that they need to find a serviceable backup this offseason. With the draft taking place in the next couple of months, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah discussed the current backup quarterback situation for the Rams and mentioned Hendon Hooker as an option.
“I really like Hendon Hooker,” Jeremiah said on a conference call. “I think he is a good player. I think he can do everything that Sean McVay wants to do. I think you start with accuracy and decision-making. He can move around, so you are going to be able to use all that stretch boot. He is going to be very comfortable doing that. He can think the game really well.”
Hooker was firmly in the Heisman race during the 2022 season before he suffered a torn ACL late in the season for Tennessee. The dynamic quarterback finished with 3,135 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, and two interceptions.
In his two seasons at Tennessee after transferring from Virginia Tech, Hooker combined for 58 passing touchdowns and only five interceptions. He also accrued 1,046 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in his two years with the Volunteers.
Besides the knee injury, Hooker will be an older rookie at 25 years old. Some teams may view his experience and age as a positive, while other teams could avoid him entirely because of it.
Another quarterback Jeremiah mentioned was Jaren Hall from BYU.
“You look at other guys that can kind of — it would be maybe a little bit later on,” Jeremiah added. “To me would probably be somebody like a Jaren Hall that would be — I think he will probably end up going in the fourth or fifth round. Good athlete. Can move. Can really drive the ball. He has some things he can work on with his footwork.”
The Rams certainly need to address the backup quarterback spot behind Stafford this offseason. And if the Rams elect to add a signal-caller in the 2023 NFL draft, Jeremiah believes Hooker would be a fantastic fit in Sean McVay’s offense.
