Hendon Hooker’s time with the Detroit Lions never truly gained traction, and the young quarterback has now embraced a new chapter much closer to home. After being cut during final roster decisions, Hooker landed on the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, giving him the reset he felt he needed.

Detroit Struggles

Heading into the preseason, Hooker knew he had to show progress. Instead, his outings were rocky. He finished 22-of-40 for 187 yards, tossing three interceptions and losing two fumbles, without guiding the team to a single touchdown series.

Although he had brief highlights — including a 25-yard run and some solid completions to Ronnie Bell — inconsistency and turnovers proved too costly. General manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell eventually opted to move on, with Campbell acknowledging that Hooker might benefit from “a change of scenery.”

New Opportunity in Carolina

That fresh start came quickly. The Panthers offered him a spot on their practice squad, bringing him back to his home state of North Carolina. Hooker says the decision was about more than just football — it was about finding the right place to grow.

“I wanted to be somewhere I was genuinely wanted,” Hooker said. “A place where I could focus on developing and learning. Coach told me he’d like me to come in and continue that process with him, and we already built a strong connection during the draft. I’m excited to pick up where those conversations left off.”

Looking Ahead

With Carolina, Hooker won’t face the immediate expectations that followed him in Detroit. Instead, he’ll have time to learn behind veteran quarterbacks while working to position himself for future opportunities.

For the former third-round pick in 2023, the journey hasn’t been simple. But surrounded by supportive coaches, the familiarity of his home state, and the chance to reset his career, Hooker has the breathing room to grow into the quarterback many still believe he can become.