Former Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker might not be with the Detroit Lions much longer, if Dan Campbell’s premonition comes true. Campbell suggested a “change of scenery” could benefit the former Vols’ signal caller. Hooker’s been with the Lions since 2023, when the team drafted him in the third round. He’s only appeared in three career […]
Former Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker might not be with the Detroit Lions much longer, if Dan Campbell’s premonition comes true. Campbell suggested a “change of scenery” could benefit the former Vols’ signal caller.
Hooker’s been with the Lions since 2023, when the team drafted him in the third round. He’s only appeared in three career games, coming last season, and is six-of-nine passing for 62 yards in his NFL career.
As it stands, Jared Goff is the entrenched starter and franchise quarterback. Other than Hooker, Kyle Allen is the only other quarterback.
“How much development do you believe there is,” Campbell said. “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 didn’t necessarily say Hooker has to leave the team to be better and considering the QB situation, they might need him in the event of an injury to Goff. Of course, there’s time to sign another veteran off the street or facilitate a trade somewhere.
“I wish Hooker — and I know he does — would have had a better outing, but you’ve got to take it with a grain of salt,” Campbell said. “It’s not like he was playing with our first o-line out there, or first team skill position, all of that. You take that all into account as well. I thought he was prepared, I thought he was ready, looked pretty calm, and circumstances didn’t work out today, that’s all.”
In the 26-7 loss to the Houston Texans in the preseason finale Saturday, Hooker was six-of-11 passing for 70 yards and an interception. He also struggled against the Miami Dolphins last week, putting up a very similar stat line and tossing a pick.
Hooker played six years in college, spending four years at Virginia Tech and two at Tennessee. He set career highs as a starter for the Vols in his final two seasons.
Over the course of those two years, Hooker threw for 6,080 yards, 58 touchdowns and five interceptions. He had a career high 69.6% completion percentage during his final season, as well as 3,135 yards (career high).
As a member of the Class of 2017, Hooker was a four-star recruit out of Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. He was the No. 8 overall prospect in the state, the No. 25 quarterback in the class and the No. 354 overall prospect in the class.
Category: Football
