Sudfeld’s release clears the way for Hooker — who is currently listed as the Lions’ third-string quarterback — to officially take over as the backup for star quarterback Jared Goff.
Hooker appeared in all three preseason games for Detroit and threw for 300 yards, one touchdown and one interception while completing 60% of his passes.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 24: Hendon Hooker #2 of the Detroit Lions throws a first-half pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a preseason game at Ford Field on August 24, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Born in Greensboro, Hooker starred at Dudley High School for three seasons from 2014-2017, winning two state titles as well countless individual awards. He spent the first three seasons of his college career at Virginia Tech University before transferring to the University of Tennessee in 2021.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – NOVEMBER 29: Hendon Hooker #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies rushes in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
Hooker started a majority of games for Virginia Tech in his final two seasons in Blacksburg, posting good numbers before transferring to the University of Tennesee in 2021 where he blossomed into one of college football’s biggest superstars.
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 30: Hendon Hooker #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball to convert on fourth down against the Purdue Boilermakers during overtime of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Purdue defeats Tennessee 48-45 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
In his first year in Knoxville with the Volunteers, Hooker threw for nearly 3,000 yards, 31 touchdowns and only three interceptions for the season. Hooker also rushed for 616 yards and five touchdowns as he led Tennesse to a surprising 7-6 record with their dominant offense.
His second and final season in Tennessee was more of the same as he threw for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions. Hooker also ran for 430 yards and five touchdowns as he led Tennessee to a 9-2 record and an upset victory over #3 Alabama which led to the Volunteers briefly being ranked as the #1 team in the nation.
Tennessee fans tear down the goal post after defeating Alabama 52-49 in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Despite the devastating knee injury, Hooker was still named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Many experts also believe that Hooker should have been a Heisman finalist despite his injury and that he assuredly would have been had he not been injured.
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker suffers an injury while making a cut during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against South Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. Hooker left the game. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
During his rookie season in Detroit, Hooker took it all in from the sidelines as the Lions made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game for the first since 1992.
He spent the year as Detroit’s QB3 behind Goff and veteran starting QB Teddy Bridgewater.
A part of the reason Hooker found himself behind on the depth chart was the devastating knee injury. He was not activated to the Lions active roster until Dec. 19, 2023, as a result of his rehab and recovery.
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 30: Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) knees down for a prayer before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions on December 30, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Bridgewater announced his intent to retire after the conclusion of the 2023-24 NFL Season, leaving Hooker as the heir-apparent backup quarterback.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 16: Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10) recently told the press that he would retire at the end of the season. Bridgewater talks with teammates during the second half of the game at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on December 16, 2023. The Detroit Lions beat the Denver Broncos 42-17 during week 15 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Bridgewater, a former first-round pick and starting QB for the Carolina Panthers, is starting his second career as head coach at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern Senior High School, according to SBLive’s Andy Villamarzo .
“I’ve got my own place, but I will go down there and stay with Teddy this time, really hang out with Teddy and his family,” Hooker told MLive. “He’s really kind of brought me into his circle, and it’s a blessing. I’ll be down there a lot. I’m eager to go down there and hang out with him.”
Hooker says that Bridgewater already served as a mentor for him during his rookie season and that he learned “how to be a pro” from him.
Bridgewater was a first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014 and appeared to be their next franchise quarterback after making the Pro Bowl and leading the team to the playoffs in 2015.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 16: Kyle Rudolph #82 and Greg Jennings #15 of the Minnesota Vikings congratulate teammate Teddy Bridgewater #5 after a two-point conversion against the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter of the preseason game on August 16, 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 30-28. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
However, his career was forever altered by a non-contact leg injury he suffered during a team practice in 2016. Bridgewater missed most of the next two seasons while recovering only appearing in one game.
Bridgewater was able to resurrect his career as Drew Brees’ backup with the New Orleans Saints, going 5-0 in five starts during the 2019 NFL Season.
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 13: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the third quarter of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on October 13, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
That performance earned him a 3-year, $63-million contract with the Panthers that offseason.
Bridgewater started in 15 games for the Panthers in 2020 and threw for a career-high 3,733 yards and completed a career-high 69.1% of his passes.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 15: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Carolina Panthers looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their NFL game at Bank of America Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Carolina traded Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos in 2021 after acquiring Sam Darnold from the New York Jets.
That season in Denver was his last year as a full-time starter. He completed 66.9% of his passes and threw a career-high 18 touchdown passes to only 7 interceptions.
Bridgewater would spend his last two NFL seasons as a backup with his hometown Miami Dolphins in 2022 and with the Detroit Lions in 2023.
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