A former day 2 pick by the Detroit Lions is now looking for a new NFL home.
It was announced Nov. 4, the day of the NFL trade deadline, that the Carolina Panthers are releasing quarterback Hendon Hooker.
The #Panthers are releasing QB Hendon Hooker.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 4, 2025
Hooker was a third round pick by the Lions in 2023. At the time, the Lions were still over a year away from extending Jared Goff’s contract and thus giving him the ultimate vote of confidence as their long-term starter. They drafted Hooker out of Tennessee thinking he could develop into a high-end backup, potential trade piece or maybe even more.
Hooker released by Panthers at trade deadline
But things never clicked for Hooker in Detroit. He spent most of his rookie year rehabbing a torn ACL, and had trouble adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL game upon his return after playing in Josh Heupel’s air raid Tennessee offense.
Detroit signed Teddy Bridgewater out of retirement to be the backup ahead of last season’s playoffs, which was not exactly a sign that they felt good about Hooker.
They released Hooker in August after a shaky preseason where he completed 22 of 40 passes for 187 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions while also losing two fumbles. He completed six of nine passes for 62 yards across three relief appearances last season.
READ MORE: Lions trade deadline tracker: Latest updates, reports, and rumors
Hooker signed with Carolina’s practice squad shortly after being released. He was the Panthers’ third-string quarterback behind Bryce Young and Andy Dalton, but the Panthers signed fellow quarterback Mike White to the practice squad two weeks ago after Young went down with an ankle injury and Dalton hurt his thumb.
Hooker’s days in Carolina appeared numbered when the team appointed White to its active roster this week. He felt like the odd man out with Young set to return from injury, and today’s move confirmed as much.
Hooker was a rare miss on a day 2 pick from Brad Holmes, but the Lions liked his quick release and accuracy over the middle, and he could get another flier from an NFL team soon. But so far, it has been a tough start for the former Tennessee star.