The Detroit Lions selected Hendon Hooker in the third round of the 2023 draft in hopes of finding a long-term solution behind Jared Goff. While there were flashes of promise, there was never enough consistency, and the Lions were forced to turn the page in 2025. This would lead to Hooker spending time with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers before again hitting free agency this offseason. It seems that the quarterback has finally found the perfect landing spot in the Tennessee Titans.
Titans' GM Mike Borgonzi offered the following sentiment on Hooker via Titans Insider Terry McCormick, "We brought him in to work out. He had a good workout, is a high character guy, and will be a good addition to the QB room."
This is a ringing endorsement and perhaps a sign that Hooker is finally turning the corner.
The former Detroit quarterback is facing an uphill battle, however, with the Titans already having three quarterbacks rostered. Heading deeper into the offseason, the Titans now have Cam Ward, Hooker, Will Levis, and Mitchell Trubisky all under contract for the 2026 season. It will be interesting to watch how the Lions draft pick navigates the situation and whether or not he is able to win the third quarterback role.
Former Lions Quarterback Hendon Hooker Praised After Signing Deal with Titans
The most likely path appears to be Ward remaining the starter and Trubisky as the primary backup, with Levis and Hooker battling for the last remaining spot at the position. Getting such high praise from the GM from the start of his tenure is a great step in the direction of winning the role. For the Lions, the franchise has already moved on, bringing back Teddy Bridgewater as the team's primary backup for the 2026 season.
Hooker needed a change of scenery, and it seems to be bringing the best out of the quarterback based on the early response from the Titans. It is great to see Hooker take steps forward in his development and perhaps finally cement himself as a reliable backup option.
While it would've been ideal for this to happen with Detroit, a change of scenery is often needed to help bring the best out of the position when it comes to struggling backups or borderline starting options. Hooker has the needed talent to be a consistent backup option, but needs to show he can be a bit more consistent when given opportunity.
Still, it is great to see the former Lion finding what appears to be a great landing spot and making inroads to remaining in Tennessee. Detroit fans can't help but pay attention and continue to watch the development of a player the franchise invested three years into. It seems this is finally paying off for Hooker, even if it frustratingly comes in a new landing spot.
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