Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) makes a pass against Houston Texans during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Another Former Jets QB Departs After 2025 Stint

Originally posted on New York Jets on SI
By Patrick McAvoy | Last updated Apr 2, 2026 12:50 PM ET

Another former quarterback from the 2025 New York Jets has found a new home.

New York traded Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the offseason after bringing Geno Smith in as the team's starting quarterback. Fields was the first to go. Tyrod Taylor is currently still a free agent. There's at least a chance that he could return for the 2026 National Football League season with the franchise, but that's up in the air and all comes down to whether the two sides want to continue the partnership for another season with him in the backup role.

Another quarterback who spent time with the Jets but now is elsewhere is former 2023 third-round pick Hendon Hooker. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Wednesday that Hooker is signing with the Tennessee Titans.

"Source: The Titans are signing QB Hendon Hooker, as the former University of Tennessee standout returns to the state," Schultz wrote.

The former Jets quarterback found a new home

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Hooker signed with the Jets in a depth role as injuries popped up throughout the season. Fields was benched and then got hurt. Taylor became the starter and then got hurt himself. Brady Cook took over as the team's starter and then they needed more depth and Hooker provided that. He initially joined the franchise in December and was promoted to the active roster in January. He never appeared in a game for the franchise, though.

Hooker has played in just three NFL games in his career so far, all with the Detroit Lions in 2024. He didn't make a start, but got into the action three times for Detroit. Overall, he went 6-of-9 passing for 62 yards. Nothing too explosive.

With Hooker's deal with the Titans, he returns to the state where he had his most success on a football field. Hooker was a star at the University of Tennessee, which is why he was a third-round pick in 2023. In his final season of college football in 2022, he played in 11 games and racked up 3,135 passing yards, 27 touchdown passes and two interceptions. He also added 430 yards on the ground and five rushing touchdowns. In 2021, he had 31 touchdown passes for Tennessee and three interceptions across 13 games played.

At the time the Jets signed Hooker, they deserately needed some more quarterback depth and he served his role well. Now, he heads over to Tennessee as a backup for young Cam Ward.

This article first appeared on New York Jets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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