Former Falcons TE Austin Hooper signs with the Browns

The tampering period before the start of free agency on Thursday began Monday. So far, we have seen plenty of movement around the league. Among the busy teams were the Cleveland Browns as they made a big-splash move by signing former Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper to a lucrative four-year, $44 million deal with $23 million guaranteed, according to ESPN.

Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper has agreed to a four-year contract with the Cleveland Browns. Hooper, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons, told ESPN’s Vaughn McClure the deal is worth $44 million, with $23 million guaranteed.

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The addition of Austin Hooper brings another proven weapon to the Browns’ passing game. Hooper has developed into one of the best receiving tight ends in the league. He’s coming off a career-best campaign where he had 75 catches for 787 receiving yards. As well as that, he had six touchdowns despite missing three games due to an MCL sprain.

When healthy, Hooper has proven to be a highly reliable receiving threat and a big red-zone target. It brings abroad another passing game option for third-year quarterback Baker Mayfield to utilize alongside wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry and fellow tight end David Njoku.

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There are questions about why the Browns added another tight end, but it should be noted that first-year head coach Kevin Stefanski utilized two tight ends during his time with the Minnesota Vikings. Cleveland also added another prominent offensive piece with offensive guard Jack Conklin on a three-year, $42 million deal on Monday to further solidify their offensive line.