One of the biggest storylines to watch during the 2025 preseason for Detroit Lions fans was the QB2 battle. Most Lions fans wanted to see Hendon Hooker take the next step in his development and cement himself as the team's backup quarterback. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, resulting in Kyle Allen being named the backup and Hooker being cut.
That said, it didn't take the 27-year-old long at all to find a new home. According to Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer, the Carolina Panthers are expected to sign Hooker to their practice squad. Carolina is one of the better places for Hooker to land, given their head coach is Dave Canales.
The #Panthers plan to add RB Deejay Dallas and QB Hendon Hooker to their practice squad, per league source.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 27, 2025
Former Lions QB Hendon Hooker Signs with Carolina Panthers
Before getting hired as the Panther head coach last year, Canales was beginning to build a reputation as a quarterback whisperer. In 2022, he helped resurrect Gen Smith's career with the Seattle Seahawks as the quarterbacks coach. Then, in 2023, he helped Baker Mayfield look like a franchise quarterback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their offensive coordinator.
Thus, Carolina hired him as their head coach to help develop Bryce Young. While Young and Canales's first year didn't go as expected, the second-year quarterback started to find a groove at the end of the year.
What does all this mean for Hooker? For starters, the 27-year-old quarterback has to learn from multiple people. Currently, the Panthers' backup quarterback is 14-year veteran Andy Dalton. Dalton has been around the block and understands what it takes to be a starter in this league.
That's a great tool for a player like Hooker, who has struggled in his career. Moreover, the former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback could learn from Canales. Though Canales will have most of his focus on developing Young, if he can also improve Hooker, then Carolina could have two QBs for the long haul.
Sure, Hooker had some of the same luxuries in Detroit. Ben Johnson was one of the best play callers in the league and Teddy Bridgewater was the backup for a majority of his time with the Lions. However, given that Dalton has started more games than Bridgewater, he is a more experienced mentor.
Regardless of the comparison in situations, Lions fans will be rooting for Hooker to succeed. Most people in Detroit really wanted him to be successful with the Lions, so it's nice to see him get another opportunity.