The Green Bay Packers will host Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker on an official top-30 visit, according to ESPN’s Matt Miller.
He met with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday and is also scheduled to visit the Tennessee Titans later this week.
Hooker is still recovering from an ACL injury but has started to participate in football-related activities. He threw a few warm-up passes at Tennessee’s Pro Day last week and later told reporters that his doctor said he should be healthy enough to play by the start of the 2023 season.
Despite the ill-timing of his injury and the fact that he is 25 years old, Hooker has been getting more first-round buzz with the NFL draft less than a month away. After transferring from Virginia Tech, Hooker put up big numbers in two seasons with the Volunteers, throwing for 6,080 yards and 58 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He also rushed for 1,046 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns over both seasons at Tennessee.
Standing at 6-3 with the ability to do damage with his arm and his legs, Hooker is an intriguing prospect for teams with uncertain quarterback situations. That includes Green Bay as they prepare to see what Jordan Love can do in his first season as the starter.
It’s tough to tell whether the Packers are just doing their homework on Hooker or are seriously considering him for Love’s backup. Danny Etling is the only other quarterback on the roster and the veteran options in free agency are growing thin. Green Bay will want to have a plan B if Love doesn’t pan out, but landing Hooking may cost them a premium pick.
Keep in mind, when Aaron Rodgers took over as the starter in 2008, the Packers used a second-round pick on Brian Brohm and a seventh-round pick on Matt Flynn.
