Austin Hooper to Tampa Bay in Free Agency?

Atlanta Falcons TE Austin Hooper will likely turn the market for his position upside down when he enters free agency.

Austin Hooper is expected to get a contract in excess of $10 million a year, with plenty of teams interested. 

Austin Hooper (25), is a two time pro bowler who set single-season career highs last year. In 2019 he had 5 receptions, 787 receiving yards, and six touchdowns.

Despite missing three games with an MCL sprain, Hooper was fifth in the league in receptions through the first eight games with 52.

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One potential landing spot for Hooper is Tampa Bay, with Buccaneers coach Matt LaFleur. La Fleur and Hooper know each other from when LaFleur was the Falcons’ quarterback coach in 2016.

The Redskins and the Bears are also reportedly interested, and Hooper thinks it’s just reward for his hard work in Atlanta. 

“It definitely feels good to know that there’s interest out there for me,” Hooper said.

“I’ve worked hard over my four years in Atlanta to set myself up to be in a position like this, so I’m grateful that stuff like that is coming out.”

Hooper had kind words for LaFluer, as well as Tampa Bay’s star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. 

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“When he was a coach in Atlanta, I really liked Matt LaFleur as a person,” Hooper said. 

“I wasn’t a quarterback, so I couldn’t really see his coaching style as much. But he definitely helped me out as a younger player. For that, I’ll always be grateful. He’s a good guy; really likable person.’

“One of the greatest to do it, for sure,” Hooper said of Rodgers. 

“Definitely a first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback. I mean, I can’t say enough good things about the guy. Some of the things he does, I don’t think anyone else in the league can do. I’m not saying anything revolutionary here. I really like his style and how he carries himself. He’s just got a swagger about him where he’s cool, calm, and collected. He always has an answer for what’s happening.”