The New York Jets are taking a fresh look at quarterback depth, signing former Tennessee standout Hendon Hooker to the practice squad, the team announced Tuesday.
For Hooker, this move marks a reunion of sorts-he’ll be working again with Aaron Glenn, now in his first year as Jets head coach. Glenn previously served as the defensive coordinator in Detroit during Hooker’s two-season stint with the Lions. That connection could help ease Hooker’s transition into a new system, even if it’s on the practice squad for now.
Hooker entered the league with high expectations after Detroit selected him 68th overall in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. But his time with the Lions never quite took off. He was waived during final roster cuts in August and quickly landed on the Panthers’ practice squad just two days later.
In Carolina, Hooker started the season buried on the depth chart behind Bryce Young and veteran Andy Dalton. When the Panthers brought in Mike White in October, Hooker’s window narrowed even further. White eventually leapfrogged him for the backup role while Young was sidelined, and after White was promoted to the 53-man roster, Hooker was released five days later.
During his nine weeks with the Panthers, Hooker never cracked the active roster. He didn’t take a snap and didn’t dress for a single game. It was a quiet stretch for a player who once lit up SEC defenses.
Hooker did see limited action during his time in Detroit. He appeared in three games in 2024, completing 6-of-9 passes for 62 yards across 33 offensive snaps. It wasn’t much, but it was a glimpse of the poise and accuracy that made him one of college football’s most efficient quarterbacks not too long ago.
Before entering the NFL, Hooker was one of the most dynamic players in college football. After transferring from Virginia Tech, he became a star at Tennessee from 2021 to 2022.
His final season was a breakout campaign: SEC Offensive Player of the Year, All-American honors, and a First-Team All-SEC selection. He led the conference with a 69.6% completion rate, threw for 3,135 yards with 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions, and added 430 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.
Even with a torn ACL cutting his season short, he still finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Now, he gets a new opportunity in New York. The Jets, sitting at 3-11 and at the bottom of the AFC East, are clearly looking toward the future-and perhaps hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with a quarterback who once looked like a future star. Hooker’s road in the NFL has been anything but smooth, but he’s still just a couple of years removed from being one of college football’s most electric playmakers.
This practice squad signing doesn’t guarantee Hooker snaps or even a long-term spot, but it gives him a foothold. And for the Jets, it’s a low-risk move with potential upside. If Hooker can stay healthy and absorb the playbook quickly, he might just work his way into the conversation for a more permanent role down the line.