Just a couple of years ago, the Detroit Lions rolled the dice on a polarizing rookie.
They took Hendon Hooker out of Tennessee in the third round, and while he had incredible numbers in college, he was 25 years old and a little raw at the time he entered the league.
Fast forward to today, and the Lions have officially called it quits with him.
Hooker still landed on his feet by signing with the Carolina Panthers, and when asked about that decision, he seemed to throw a little shade at his former team:
“I wanted to go somewhere where I was wanted, wanted to develop, learn,” Hooker said.
Former Lions QB Hendon Hooker on signing with the Panthers:
“I wanted to go somewhere where I was wanted.”
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— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) August 30, 2025
Granted, the Lions already had a franchise quarterback, and they weren’t going to turn to Hooker after paying Jared Goff that much money.
The Panthers seem fully committed to Bryce Young, as they should, but he might have a better chance to take the field there.
Hooker posted video game-like numbers in his final season with the Volunteers.
He was a top-five Heisman trophy finalist and helped the program get an impressive 9-2 record in his final season in college.
Nevertheless, as impressive as his physical traits and his numbers were, he didn’t play in a pro-style offense, and there were concerns about the time it would take to help him get acclimated to the pros.
Now, as a 27-year-old backup, that ship may have already sailed.
Whatever the case, the Lions and Panthers aren’t scheduled to meet this season, and even if they did, his chances of getting on the field to get back at them would be slim.
NEXT: Colin Cowherd Makes Surprising Projection About The Panthers