{"id":243106,"date":"2025-08-26T14:32:35","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T18:32:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=243106"},"modified":"2025-08-26T14:32:35","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T18:32:35","slug":"hendon-hookers-time-in-detroit-comes-to-an-end","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/08\/26\/hendon-hookers-time-in-detroit-comes-to-an-end\/","title":{"rendered":"Hendon Hooker’s Time In Detroit Comes To An End"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

When Hendon Hooker<\/a> was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2023 draft, the Detroit Lions saw him as their future quarterback-in-waiting.<\/p>\r\n

Hendon Hooker’s Time In Detroit Comes To An End<\/h2>\r\n

The former SEC Offensive Player of the Year was still recovering from a devastating ACL tear, and it was understood he couldn\u2019t be an immediate contributor. \u00a0However, with Jared Goff firmly entrenched as the Lions\u2019 franchise quarterback, Detroit had the luxury of drafting Hooker as a long-term development option.<\/p>\r\n

Hooker, A Superior College Prospect<\/h3>\r\n

Before he was injured in November of 2022, Hooker was an early favorite for the Heisman Trophy. The Tennessee Volunteers were first in the SEC with an 8-0 record and ranked ninth nationally in total offense with an average of 324.1 yards per game. As a senior, Hooker completed 229 of 329 (69.6%) passes for 3,135 yards, with 27 touchdowns and two interceptions. Earning an impressive 175.5 passer rating, he added 104 carries for 430 yards with five touchdowns. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

After finishing fifth in the Heisman voting, Hooker declared for the draft while still recovering from his injury. As expected, the Carolina Panthers<\/a> selected \u00a0Bryce Young<\/a> with the first pick. The Houston Texans<\/a> chose C.J. Stroud<\/a> second, and\u00a0Anthony Richardson<\/a> was drafted fourth overall by the Indianapolis Colts<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

However, when the Tennessee Titans<\/a> passed over their hometown favorite to select Will Levis<\/a> early in the second round with the 33rd pick, that had to sting. By comparison, Levis only averaged 200.9 yards per game with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. By the time the second round ended, Hooker was beginning to wonder just how much farther he would fall before his name was called. But, as the next quarterback chosen with the 68th pick, he could not have found a more perfect landing spot<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

\"Saints
Nov 19, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) passes against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

Hooker, A Rookie Quarterback-In-Waiting<\/h3>\r\n

The plan was for Hooker to spend his rookie season rehabbing with the Lions and absorbing all he could by watching Goff<\/a> and backup Nate Sudfeld from the sidelines. He could sit back, study, learn, and get ready to play the following year. It was an ideal situation for Hooker, one that would allow him to make a smooth transition from college to the pros without the stress of having to perform immediately.<\/p>\r\n

By 2024, a fully recovered Hooker attended his first training camp as a participant. He was excited to begin the next stage of his professional career. \u00a0But Hooker quickly discovered that running an NFL offense was very different from what he experienced in college. But Hooker impressed his teammates with his work ethic and willingness to learn all he could.<\/p>\r\n

Heavy Expectations of Hooker in Years Two And Three\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n

But the pressure was on Hooker to step up. Dan Campbell<\/a> was candid in his expectations for him to earn the number two slot. “We need to feel like by the end of camp this guy can run this offense,” Campbell said. “He’s somebody that we know we can play the game a certain way. We know he’s going to be able to process the information. He’s going to get us in the right play, and he’s going to keep the ship afloat. That’s it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Hooker succeeded in earning the number two position. However, after training camp, his progression seemed to stall. By the end of the season, veteran Teddy Bridgewater<\/a> was signed as Goff\u2019s backup. It was Bridgewater who took the field during the playoffs when Goff briefly exited the game after sustaining a minor injury.<\/p>\r\n

\"Hendon
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) attempts a pass during the second half of the pre-season game against the Houston Texans at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

Hooker\u2019s Disappointing 2025 Preseason<\/h3>\r\n

Entering the 2025 preseason, Hooker had a target on his back. The clock was ticking, and the pressure was on for him to win the backup job over veteran Kyle Allen<\/a>. Showing progress in training camp, the early reports were encouraging. However, Hooker’s improvement didn\u2019t translate to the field during the Lions\u2018 preseason games. He completed only 22 of 40 passes for 187 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. Although Hooker had a couple of impressive rushes for 52 additional yards, he also had two fumbles.<\/p>\r\n

In fairness to Hooker, in preparing for games during training camp, he took first-team reps. Experienced NFL veterans know how to make the subtle adjustments that can mean the difference between a completed catch and an overthrown ball. But when he took the field at game time, Hooker was expected to duplicate that same success with inexperienced rookies and undrafted free agents. Consequently, not all the incomplete passes and interceptions were his fault.<\/p>\r\n

A Difficult Decision<\/h3>\r\n

Late Monday afternoon, the Lions announced the release of Hooker.<\/a> Unfortunately, Hooker\u2019s performance just wasn\u2019t good enough for a team aiming to win a Super Bowl this year.\u00a0In determining which athletes make up the Lions’ 53-man roster, Campbell and Brad Holmes<\/a> examine every aspect of a player’s contributions. It isn\u2019t easy. For them, it\u2019s one of the hardest aspects of their job.<\/p>\r\n

When Campbell was asked how he makes those tough decision<\/a>s, he admitted, \u201cYou\u2019re going to take the totality of it. I know for me, that\u2019s big. I want to know, start to finish, what did it look like. Was there constant improvement? Do you feel and see development through that time? I think where that would be a little bit \u2013 OK, man, the practices look really good, I see that, but all four of these games have not been good. That\u2019s an issue. I think that\u2019s an issue, because all of a sudden, the lights are on and we\u2019re in real games and the coach isn\u2019t behind you and there\u2019s no script. That could be a little bit concerning. But… I take it in the whole, from the beginning. From start to where we\u2019re at now, and I think that\u2019s important that you don\u2019t get skewed by just the Houston game. One game. You\u2019ve got to be careful there.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Lions releasing QB Hendon Hooker. (via @MikeGarafolo<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/qlWcifsOb2<\/a><\/p>— NFL (@NFL) August 25, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>