NFL Report: Detroit Lions cut Nate Sudfeld, select former Tennessee star as the primary backup QB behind Jared Goff.
Prior to the regular season, Detroit makes a personnel change at quarterback.
Hendon Hooker, a third-round selection and former Tennessee star, took over as the primary backup quarterback behind Jared Goff when the Detroit Lions cut backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Hooker, who faced Sudfeld in the preseason, garnered attention and was a key component of the Lions’ victory over the Steelers this past weekend.
After falling to Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hooker expressed gratitude to the Lions last summer. Following a major injury and doubts about Josh Heupel’s college-friendly scheme producing results, Hooker’s draft status fell, making him the fourth SEC signal caller taken that cycle, behind Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis.
After being selected as Tennessee’s top quarterback pick since Peyton Manning as a 25-year-old rookie the previous season, Hooker flourished under Goff’s tutelage for the playoff-bound Lions, who ultimately fell to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game due to their inability to sustain a lead. Due to a knee injury he sustained in the final game of the 2023 season at Tennessee versus South Carolina, Hooker was not selected in the previous year’s draft.
Last season, Hooker witnessed Goff throw for 4,575 yards with 30 touchdowns and a career-high completion percentage of 67.3%.
“Yeah, to be a sponge, to come in and learn everything, every nuance on how to be a pro, first and foremost,” Hooker remarked of his learning from the seasoned signal caller. “After that, simply adore him. Having spent a considerable amount of time in the league, he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to improve each year. All you can ask for is that. I will definitely be asking him questions whenever I have the chance. I know it’s going to irritate him a little, but that’s just who I am. I just want to go in, focus on my work, and keep improving every day.”
Joe Milton, the former quarterback for Tennessee who is currently with the New England Patriots, was Hooker’s trainer during this offseason. As a sixth-year senior, Milton replaced Hooker as the Vols’ full-time starting while the latter was recovering from a knee injury and playing third base in Detroit.
After moving from Michigan, Milton started the entire 2021 season and, following Hooker’s ACL injury, completed the 11-win 2022 campaign. Between, Hooker assisted the Vols in setting numerous program and team records for a single season while the offense dominated stat sheets and performed like a 2022 Heisman Trophy winner for the majority of the season.
Before this year’s NFL Draft, Milton remarked of Hooker, “I don’t think blood can make us closer.” “To be honest, he’s at my house right now. I mean, we work together on everything. You will see him if you see him. You see him, and you see me. We pretty much do everything together. He gave me a call yesterday night and inquired about my well-being. I basically simply told him that everything he mentioned—including your calls and what you stated regarding the Senior Bowl and the Combine—is real. I therefore value the information you provided to me before to my arrival.”
