Once the Falcons made it known they were going to let Austin Hooper test the free-agent market; it was a foregone conclusion he would not be back in Atlanta. On the open market, he was expected to set the bar for tight ends in the league, and on Monday, the Browns made it official, according to Ian Rapoport.
#Falcons free agent TE Austin Hooper, the top player at his position, is headed to the #Browns, per @TomPelissero, @MikeSilver and me. They’ve agreed to terms, he’s the new highest-paid TE.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
A former third-round pick out of Stanford, Hooper bettered himself in all four years with the Falcons, becoming a Pro-Bowler in his final two. However, his 2019 campaign was easily his best, as he caught 75 balls for 787 and 6 TDs — all career-highs — in just 13 games. While the numbers are not official on his deal yet, it’s believed to be worth $44 million over four years.
Early word I’m hearing on Austin Hooper’s contract is four years, $44 million.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) March 16, 2020
You could argue that a lot of his success came courtesy of Dirk Koetter, who is known for utilizing tight ends as much as possible in the passing game. But regardless, Hooper has become one of the elite players at his position and is 100% deserving of this contract. The Falcons have just put themselves in such an egregious cap situation that they are forced to make some gut-wrenching decisions, like letting one of their best offensive players walk. Hooper will join a Browns offense that continues to upgrade itself in hopes that Baker Mayfield can finally lead them back to the playoffs.
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