After an unhappy David Njoku missed the bulk of 2019 due to injury, the Browns had no choice but to search for a replacement tight end. They now have to pay a hefty price for one and that signee is Austin Hooper.
#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
Hooper will receive $44 million over four seasons, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.
https://twitter.com/vxmcclure23/status/1239594365615591426
Hooper is the top tight end in this year’s free agent class. The 2016 draftee caught 75 passes for 787 yards and six touchdowns last year. He was also selected to the Pro-Bowl in 2019. Keep in mind: he posted those stats while missing three games with an MCL sprain.
The 25-year-old is now the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.
Over his career, Hooper has 214 for 2,244 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The Browns now have some of the best weapons in the NFL if David Njoku stays as they employ Odell Beckham, Jr., Jarvis Landry, Austin Hooper, Nick Chubb, and Kareem Hunt to work with Baker Mayfield.
