For the first time in his NFL career, quarterback Hendon Hooker is joining an organization outside the Detroit Lions.
Following his release from the Lions during the final wave of roster cuts on Monday, Hooker is reportedly signing on to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, according to numerous reports.
Hooker, a 2023 third-round draft pick by the Lions, struggled to take key steps forward since joining the NFL and will now try and improve within the Panthers organization.
After showing glimpses in training camps and preseasons over the past few years, Hooker couldn’t put the final product together and was cut this week. This came in the wake of Lions coach Dan Campbell suggesting a fresh start might be good for the 27-year-old.
“How much development do you believe there is? We’re talking about Hooker right now. How much development do you believe there still is? Sometimes, does the player need a change of scenery?” Campbell said last week.
Hooker began training camp firmly in the QB2 conversation, set to battle it out with veteran Kyle Allen for the backup role behind starter Jared Goff.
After opening on even footing, Allen thrived as the preseason continued, while Hooker continued to put some ugly performances on tape.
Across four preseason games, Hooker would complete 22-of-40 passes for 187 yards with three interceptions, two lost fumbles, and a 39.3 passer rating.
In what became his final outing with the Lions against the Houston Texans, Hooker was 6-of-11 for 70 yards with an interception and a 36.2 rating.
In that same game, Allen had a perfect passer rating (going 5-for-5 for 66 yards and a touchdown).
Hooker expressed frustration after the game with his performance, even though Campbell recognized the difficult circumstances the quarterback faced going out without skill position players higher up on the training camp depth chart.
“Who would want to go into a battle and think that they’re not going to be successful?” Hooker said. “Especially with the skills that I have, I can showcase. But you come in and work as hard as you can every day.”
Hooker still believed he had staked his claim to a spot on the Lions’ 53-man roster for another season.
“With the work I’ve put in and what I’ve put on tape in practice and in some game situations, I’ve showcased some good things,” Hooker said. “I still have things to work on, but I feel like I’ve made a strong case.”
Hooker played three total games for the Lions in regular season play, completing 6-of-9 passes for 62 yards, playing late in blowout games in 2024.
The Panthers have their starting quarterback already settled with 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, but veteran backup Andy Dalton is dealing with an elbow injury.
Hooker will try and earn his way back to an active roster from the practice squad after what’s become a failed experiment in Detroit.
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