The Browns are releasing tight end Austin Hooper (Twitter link via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com). Using the post-June 1 designation, the Browns will spread his dead money hit across the next two seasons, rather than all at once. 
[RELATED: Browns Place Franchise Tag On Njoku]
The Browns were giving serious thought to keeping Hooper alongside breakout star David Njoku. At least, that was their public position. In reality, there was little sense in keeping both players.
It’s been almost two years since Hooper inked a then record-breaking deal for tight ends, one that was slated to run through 2024. Now, instead of keeping him around as a secondary TE target in their Baker Mayfield-led offense, the Browns will cut Hooper to save $2MM on the 2022 books. Meanwhile, the $11.25MM dead money charge will be split between ’22 and ’23.
Hooper, still only 27, should hold appeal for TE-needy teams elsewhere. While his Cleveland run has been forgettable, it wasn’t long ago that he notched two consecutive Pro Bowl nods with the Falcons.
Could make sense for GB if they don’t bring back Tonyan and (most importantly) if they can make the money work
That was my fifth thought as well. Even with Tonyan, I’d give him a 1 year deal. The key,
like you said, is making the money work
First, not fifth.
I was going to ask for thoughts 1-4 lol
Curious if there is offset language in his contract.
As a Titans fan, would make a lot of sense if the price worked.
Watson must really be entertaining coming to the browns there continuously freeing up cap space
They might get Watson but cutting Hooper was going to happen regardless. He produces too little for the amount of money he scheduled to make. His back up (Njoku’) had a better year than him.
Hooper never made sense for them. He’s a better TE than Njoku but didn’t mesh with their system and personnel.
Titans, this is your chance. Please go get him!
Next to THE TE1 George Kittle would be perfect
He’s a TE1. I’d be surprised if he went somewhere that he would be an afterthought.
@djpiglatin YEP! He’s going to the 9ers!!
When thrown to in Cleveland, Austin Hooper demonstrated a reliable set of hands. For some reason only known to Kevin Stefanski and Baker Mayfield, Hooper wasn’t thrown to very much.
If you watched the games he dropped every ball thrown to him in clutch situations
Did this to save $2mill and eat $11.25? Doesn’t seem to be a great decision financially. I guess kicking the can down the road a bit save some money
They’ve made bad money decisions for a long time. That’s the problem though in the NFL, guys will show flashes and get paid then fall flat or the next best thing arrives.
“Breakout star” David Njoku? What?
Completely agree … Njoku is probably north of 15 in TE rankings. Closer to 20 in my book
I really think he ends up in a Cincy to stick it to the Browns twice a year … good fit since they lost Uzamah
Are we surprised name one big free agent that went to Cleveland and had success.. go ahead I’ll wait