The Detroit Lions are releasing quarterback Hendon Hooker, according to a post from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo on Monday afternoon.
“The #Lions are releasing QB Hendon Hooker, sources say. Dan Campbell suggested the other day the 2023 third-round pick could use a change of scenery and he’ll have the chance to do so now,” Garafolo posted to X.
The #Lions are releasing QB Hendon Hooker, sources say. Dan Campbell suggested the other day the 2023 third-round pick could use a change of scenery and he’ll have the chance to do so now. pic.twitter.com/6H2CbRPOZm
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 25, 2025
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The Lions took the former Tennessee quarterback with the 68th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Hooker’s career immediately hit an obstacle, though, as he was recovering from a torn ACL that happened near the end of his final season at Tennessee. Hooker missed his entire rookie year while coming back from injury, but saw his first NFL action last season with the Lions.
Hooker entered the 2025 preseason in a second-string battle with veteran journeyman Kyle Allen, but struggled during his time on the field. He finished the preseason going 22-of-40 for 187 yards with three interceptions, two fumbles, and no touchdowns. It was clear that Allen was earning the backup position with each passing game.
According to Lions Fan Report on X, Hooker’s offense scored just three total points in 20 drives for Detroit this preseason.
Campbell suggested that Hooker could use a new change of scenery, which he will have a chance at before the 2025 season. With the former Tennessee quarterback having played less than four seasons in the NFL so far, he will be on the waiver wire and can be claimed by any team in the league. If he’s not picked up, he’ll be eligible to return to the Lions’ practice squad.
“Look, it’s always going to be how much development do you believe there is,” Campbell said after Detroit’s blowout loss to the Texans on Saturday. “Because look, we are talking about Hooker right now. How much development do you believe there still is? Sometimes does the player need a change of scenery? What about our own depth in other areas? I mentioned this the other day, relative to that – all right, maybe there is room to grow. Is that worth it for the depth we need at O-Line, D-Line, receiver, DB? And so those are all things you have to weigh.”
In three games during the 2024 regular season, Hooker threw for 62 yards on 6-of-9 passing with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Regardless of what happens in his NFL career, Hooker is cemented as a Tennessee legend for what he did in two explosive seasons on Rocky Top. He got his first chance to start in 2021 following an injury to starter Joe Milton III, and didn’t give up that spot until he was injured in the penultimate game of the regular season in 2022.
During his time at Tennessee, Hooker threw for 6,080 yards and 58 touchdowns in 24 games. He was named the 2022 SEC Offensive Player of the Year after getting the Volunteers to the doorstop of the four-team College Football Playoffs before his knee injury against South Carolina in Columbia.
With things not working out in Detroit, Hooker will now have the chance to join another team before the season if he is claimed off waivers. We’ll monitor things online to see what happens next for the former Tennessee superstar.
