Nine-year veteran tight end Austin Hooper signed a new contract with the New England Patriots. Hooper, a two-time Pro Bowler, spent the 2024 season with the New England Patriots but also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Two-time Pro-Bowl TE Austin Hooper is returning to New England on a one-year, $5 million deal with a max value of $7M, per source.
Agent Steve Caric of Wasserman sports just finished negotiating the deal with the Patriots before free agency starts. pic.twitter.com/WfgptHBkTX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2025
Austin Hooper, Patriots, Agree to Contract
Signed to a one-year contract during the 2024 offseason, Austin Hooper was one of the few bright spots on the 2024 New England Patriots. Appearing in 17 games while making eight starts, the veteran finished the season with 45 receptions for 476 yards, three touchdowns, and a 75.8 PFF grade while serving as a valuable safety blanket for rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Despite his strong play, New England finished the season with a dismal 4-13 record and fired head coach Jerod Mayo following the season.
Austin Hooper originally entered the league as a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Selected by the Atlanta Falcons, the Stanford product had an unremarkable rookie season but showed some life in Year 2. Appearing in 16 games while making eight starts, Hooper finished his second season with 49 receptions for 526 yards and three touchdowns. He continued to build on this campaign, making the Pro Bowl in 2018 and 2019 while recording a combined 146 receptions for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Following the expiration of his rookie contract, Austin Hooper signed a new contract with the Cleveland Browns. While he never recaptured his late 2010s magic in his new environment, he became an important part of the passing attack. Hauling in 46 receptions for 435 yards and four touchdowns, Hooper helped the Browns make the playoffs and defeat their hated rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
After his two years in Cleveland, Austin Hooper bounced around on a series of short-term contracts. Since entering the league, the tight end has recorded 409 receptions for 4,178 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Main Photo: David Butler – Imagn Images
