Robert Saleh is adding more New York athletes to his Titans roster.
The Titans are signing former Jets quarterback Hendon Hooker on a free agent deal, The Tennessean reported Wednesday, as well as ex-Gang Green running back Michael Carter, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Hooker, the Lions’ third-round pick in 2023, did not overlap with Saleh while in New York. Carter, a fourth-round pick out of North Carolina, was part of the 2021 Jets class that Saleh drafted.
A star quarterback at the University of Tennessee, Hooker joined the Jets’ practice squad in December following his release from the Panthers earlier in the season. He was elevated to the Jets’ active roster in January under coach Aaron Glenn.
Glenn, who served as the Lions’ defensive coordinator when the club drafted Hooker, succeeded Saleh as the Jets head coach last year. The Jets went 3-14 this past season.
Hooker was a Heisman candidate in his final Volunteers season despite tearing his ACL, which caused him to plummet down draft boards before being selected in the third round by Detroit in 2023.
He has only appeared in three games since being drafted — all in garbage time for the 2024 Lions when he backed up Jared Goff.
Hooker will be in a depth chart fight with the Titans, who have Cam Ward entering his second year as the starter.
The Titans also signed veteran Mitchell Trubisky and have Will Levis returning from a shoulder injury.
Saleh coached the Jets for three-and-a-half seasons before being fired five games into the 2024 season. He posted an overall record of 20-36.
Carter played two full seasons for the Jets before being released by the team mid-way through the 2023 campaign. He was claimed off waivers by the Cardinals and played sporadically for Arizona the past three years.
Saleh was hired by the Titans in January after spending the 2025 season as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator in his second stint with the San Francisco franchise.
He added former Giants coach Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator and collected talent from the New York area throughout free agency.
Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott and tight end Daniel Bellinger were among the Giants who fled to Music City.
Tennessee shelled out a reported $270 million to start free agency last month.
The Titans went 3-14 last season with Ward as a rookie under center. The team fired second-year coach Brian Callahan after a 1-5 start.
