The Hendon Hooker era in Detroit never really got off the ground, and now the young quarterback is turning the page with a new opportunity closer to home. After being waived during final roster cuts, Hooker signed onto the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, giving him the reset he says he needed.
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Hooker’s Tough Break in Detroit
Hooker entered this preseason knowing he needed to prove himself. Instead, it was a rough stretch from start to finish. He went 22-of-40 passing for 187 yards, three interceptions, and two lost fumbles, failing to lead the offense to a single touchdown drive.
Despite flashes, like a 25-yard scramble and a couple of sharp passes to Ronnie Bell, inconsistency and turnovers sealed his fate. General manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell ultimately made the difficult call to release him, with Campbell even admitting Hooker simply needed “a change of scenery.”
A Fresh Start in Carolina
That change of scenery came quickly. The Panthers signed Hooker to their practice squad, giving him a chance to regroup in his home state of North Carolina. For Hooker, the decision was as much about fit as it was about opportunity.
“I just wanted to go somewhere I was wanted,” Hooker explained. “And wanted to develop and learn, and coach told me that he would like me to come learn under him, and we have a great bond from the draft process, just reminiscing on those talks that we had then, I’m eager to learn from him.”
What’s Next for Hooker
Now with Carolina, Hooker doesn’t face the same immediate pressure he had in Detroit. Instead, he gets to develop at his own pace behind veterans, while still having a chance to carve out a future role.
For a player who was once a third-round pick in 2023, the path hasn’t been easy. But with a new start, supportive coaches, and the comfort of being back in his home state, Hooker finally has the chance to do what he couldn’t in Detroit, take a deep breath and grow into the quarterback many thought he could be.