His father, Jay Hoffman, played professional football for the Canberra Raiders, representing Queensland in the pre-Origin era.

[5][6] Hoffman attended the renowned rugby league school[citation needed] St Gregory's College in Campbelltown, New South Wales.

[8] Following the 2006 NRL Grand Final loss to the Brisbane Broncos, Hoffman sat in the middle of Telstra Stadium in tears, an image which was printed in newspapers all around Australia.

[11] In July 2010, Hoffman signed with Super League club Wigan Warriors, where he was given the #16 shirt and replaced Phil Bailey at second-row.

[12][13] Hoffman scored on his first-grade début for the side at the season-opening Magic Weekend event against the club's rivals, St Helens R.F.C.

[14] He then featured in the 2011 World Club Challenge where Wigan lost 15–21 to St George Illawarra Dragons in their first home game of the season.

[35] In April 2015 Hoffman played his 250th NRL career game against his former club Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park.

On 1 February 2017, new Warriors coach Stephen Kearney announced that Hoffman would be replaced as captain and would not be re-signed for the 2018 season.