Hodges in 2019Hodges's number 6 jersey on display at Steelers training camp 2024
Hodges signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2019.[6] He was waived on August 31, 2019.[7] The Steelers re-signed Hodges to their practice squad on September 10, 2019.[8] He was promoted to the active roster on September 16, 2019, following an injury to starter Ben Roethlisberger.[9]
On October 6, 2019, he made his professional debut with the Steelers in a game against the Baltimore Ravens following an injury to Mason Rudolph.[10] In his first regular season game, Hodges completed seven of nine passes for 68 yards, and ran the ball twice for 20 yards.[11] He won his first NFL start in the October 13, 2019, game against the Los Angeles Chargers.[12] In the game, Hodges threw for 132 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.[13] On November 24, 2019, Hodges replaced Rudolph midway through the third quarter and threw for 118 yards which included a 79-yard touchdown pass en route to a 16–10 comeback victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. On November 26, Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin named Hodges the starting quarterback for the Steelers' next game against the Cleveland Browns.[14] In the game, Hodges threw for 212 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the 20–13 win.[15] After another win over the Arizona Cardinals, Hodges struggled against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football on December 15, 2019, throwing for 202 yards, 1 touchdown, and a career-high 4 interceptions as the Steelers lost 10–17.[16]
In Week 16 against the New York Jets, Hodges was benched early in the second quarter for Rudolph after throwing two interceptions. He was put back into the game in the fourth quarter after Rudolph suffered a shoulder injury. The Steelers lost 10–16. In total, Hodges threw for 84 yards and two interceptions during the loss.[17] Hodges appeared in eight games as a rookie and totaled 1,063 passing yards, five touchdowns, and eight interceptions.[18]
2020 season
Hodges was waived by the Steelers on September 6, 2020, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[19][20] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 18, 2021.[21]
Los Angeles Rams
On January 25, 2021, Hodges signed a reserve/future contract with the Los Angeles Rams.[22] He was waived on August 23, 2021.[23]
Ottawa Redblacks
On September 16, 2021, Hodges signed a three-year contract with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League.[24] On November 5, 2021, the Redblacks announced that Hodges would be the team's starting quarterback for their November 6 game against the Toronto Argonauts.[25] Hodges struggled in his debut, completing only eight passes on 22 attempts for 90 passing yards as the Redblacks lost to the Argonauts 23–20.[26] He finished the season having played in four games, completing 16 of 38 pass attempts with one interception. He also carried the ball nine times for 38 yards. On April 22, 2022, the Redblacks announced that Hodges had retired from professional football.[27]
Hodges gained the nickname "Duck" at Samford[28] for his prowess at duck calling. Hodges won the 2009 Junior World Duck Calling Contest at age 13[29] and won the 2018 Alabama State Duck Calling Championship.[30] His brother, Duncan, played quarterback for the VMI Keydets.
In May 2023, Hodges was confirmed to be in a relationship with country music artist Lainey Wilson.[31] Wilson later revealed in an interview with The Bobby Bones Show that she and Hodges had been dating for over two years prior to the public revelation.[32]
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