JUST IN :New England Patriots signed a one-year contract with tight end Austin Hooper worth $12.5 million
The New England Patriots have signed tight end Austin Hooper to a one-year deal. Hooper previously played for the Cleveland Browns under offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt from 2020 to 2021.
According to an NFL Network report, the New England team is set to enlist tight end Austin Hooper on a one-year deal. The contract is said to have a base worth of $3 million, with potential earnings reaching up to $4.25 million, as stated by ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Hooper entered the NFL when he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons as the 81st overall pick in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Interestingly, he was the second tight end chosen in the draft, following Hunter Henry from Arkansas, who was picked by the San Diego Chargers at No. 35, and now, they are teammates in New England.
Throughout his four seasons with the Falcons, Hooper quickly ascended to the top of their tight end depth chart. The Stanford alum appeared in 59 games, starting 28 of them. He concluded his time with 214 receptions for 2,244 yards and 16 touchdowns. Hooper earned Pro Bowl selections in 2018 and 2019, capping off his final season in Atlanta with 75 catches for 787 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
Hooper capitalized on his impressive performance by securing a lucrative four-year deal with the Cleveland Browns in 2020. While with the Browns, he played under the then-offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who now holds the same position with the Patriots.
Hailing from San Mateo, California, Hooper wrapped up the 2020 regular season with 46 receptions for 435 yards and four touchdowns, marking his debut season with the Browns. However, in 2022, his statistics experienced a slight decline, recording 38 catches for 345 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Ultimately, the Browns released him in March 2022 as part of a cost-cutting strategy.
Over the following two seasons
Hooper agreed to one-year deals, initially joining the Tennessee Titans in 2022, followed by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. During the previous season, he participated in 17 games for the Raiders, amassing 234 yards on 25 receptions, but he did not score any touchdowns.
Given the Patriots’ re-signing of Henry before the onset of free agency, it’s anticipated that Hooper will vie for the second tight end position in 2024. Alongside Henry, he shares the roster with LaMichael Pettway. Following Hooper’s arrival, tight end Pharaoh Brown inked a deal with the Seattle Seahawks, while former Patriot Mike Gesicki committed to a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.
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