The Detroit Lions.
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A former Detroit Lions quarterback keeps getting rough news outside of Detroit, as he searches for his forever home.
The Detroit Lions have been the home of a bevy of talented quarterbacks over the years, but sometimes, it’s just not a good fit, and in those cases, parties have to part ways. Lions franchise quarterback Jared Goff officially joined the team on March 17, 2021, and while he’s been quarterback one for his time with the Lions, his backup quarterback has evolved.
“I’m just excited to be somewhere that I know wants me and appreciates me,” Goff told the NFL’s official website when he was hired. “I’m moving forward and couldn’t be more excited to build a winner there. I’m excited about Dan (Campbell) and the whole staff.”
At the time, reporter Michael Silver also noted Goff’s attitude seemed chipper about going from the Los Angeles Rams to the Lions. “On Sunday morning, Goff and I talked about his journey — and this very sharp detour north — and some of the stress he’s carried inside for the past several months.”
He added, “It’s been a lot, but Goff didn’t harp on the souring of his relationship with (Rams head coach Sean) McVay or the end of his time in L.A. His voice was calm, hopeful, light and even … happy?”
Former Detroit Lions Quarterback Still Trying to Find His Forever Home
Former Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker parted ways with the team in August of 2025, and from there, he signed to the Carolina Panthers‘ practice squad. That was all fine and dandy, but then, the Panthers let him walk in November of that year.
Hooker joined New York Jets‘ practice squad in December of that year but didn’t play. Hooker is currently an n exclusive rights free agent with the New York Jets, but they have a full quarterback room.
In a Monday, March 23 feature for Detroit Jock City, Jovan Alford makes the case that Hooker is going “in the wrong direction.” He also says that Hooker would benefit from time in the UFL.
“As we get deeper into free agency, the opportunities will slowly start to dry up for the ex-Lions signal caller,” he notes in the piece. “Maybe he gets a rookie minicamp invite from a team after the draft to show what he can do, but the optics aren’t looking great for him.”
UFL May Provide a Good Opportunity for Ex-Lions Quarterback Hendon Hooker
Here’s where the UFL kicks in. “Hooker could also consider taking the spring football route, as the UFL is kicking off this week,” Alford says in the piece. “It’s a path that Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was in the same position as Hooker, is taking to hopefully get back on track. The UFL would afford Hooker reps and game tape to show that he can be a competent NFL quarterback.”
So, Hooker is in limbo as the 2026-27 season nears. He’s with former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn in New York, and if the the two are tight, that will give him some time there. But, if he really want to get some snaps, maybe he’ll have to find work outside the NFL, at least for now.