Former Lions QB Joins New Team in Familiar Region

Hendon Hooker is headed to the Tennessee Titans, returning to the state where he starred in college. The former Lions QB has joined a new team and is back in a familiar region, according to multiple reports relayed to Filmogaz.com.

NFL path since Detroit

Hooker, 28, was a third-round pick in 2023. The Detroit Lions drafted him to develop behind Jared Goff.

The Lions waived him before the 2025 season. He then spent time on the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets practice squads.

Hooker had a brief stint on the Jets’ active roster but saw no regular-season snaps there.

Performance with Detroit

Hooker appeared in three regular-season games for Detroit. He completed 6-of-9 passes for 62 yards.

The Lions eventually made Kyle Allen their backup for the 2025 season and moved on from Hooker.

Connections and coaching

His Jets stop reunited him with Aaron Glenn and Tanner Engstrand. Both coaches worked with Hooker during his Lions tenure.

Now he will join Robert Saleh’s coaching staff in Tennessee. The move gives Hooker another chance to earn a roster spot.

College résumé at Tennessee

Hooker transferred from Virginia Tech to Tennessee in 2021. He started 24 games for the Volunteers.

He threw for more than 6,000 yards and 58 touchdowns across those seasons. An ACL injury cut his senior year short.

As a starter, Hooker went 9-2 and helped Tennessee reach an 11-win season, the program’s best mark in over two decades.

Where he fits with the Titans

The Titans now list five quarterbacks on their roster. The group includes Cam Ward, Mitchell Trubisky, Brandon Allen, and Will Levis.

Ward is the presumptive starter after a rookie season with over 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. One quarterback spot may be trimmed soon.

Hooker will compete for a role on the active roster or practice squad. He aims to recapture the form he showed at Tennessee.

• Age: 28
• Draft: 2023, third round
• Detroit regular-season stats: 6-of-9, 62 yards
• College at Tennessee: 24 games, 6,000+ yards, 58 TDs

Filmogaz.com will monitor Hooker’s progress as he attempts to revive his NFL career in Tennessee.