NFL Rumors: Dustin Hopkins, Browns Agree to $15.9M Contract; T-5th AAV Among Kickers
July 15, 2024
The Cleveland Browns signed kicker Dustin Hopkins to a new three-year contract extension worth $15.9 million that runs through the 2027 season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterSources: Browns and kicker Dustin Hopkins reached agreement on a three-year, $15.9 million extension, which now makes him one of the NFL's top five highest-paid kickers. Hopkins is now tied to Cleveland through the 2027 season. <a href="https://t.co/1fq3bpch1a">pic.twitter.com/1fq3bpch1a</a>
Schefter noted that Hopkins' new contract now puts him in a tie with Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn for the fifth-highest average annual contract value among current kickers.
Hopkins appeared in 15 games with the Browns last season after he was acquired by the team in an Aug. 2023 trade with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, $8.362 million of the contract is guaranteed.
Cleveland was initially prepared to enter the 2023 season with former fourth-round pick Cade York as the team's starting kicker, although he struggled throughout preseason before he was eventually cut and replaced with Hopkins.
York was brought back by the Browns in March, although the 2024 starting job will undoubtedly belong to Hopkins with Monday's extension reveal.
Hopkins is a former sixth-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, spending six full seasons in Washington before he was released in the middle of his 2021 campaign and subsequently signed by Los Angeles.
His first year in Cleveland was extremely successful, as he connected on 33 of his 36 field-goal attempts. Hopkins also displayed his leg strength on several occasions, hitting all eight of his field-goal attempts of at least 50 yards.
The 33-year-old recorded multiple game-winning kicks with the Browns, helping them earn several narrow victories and securing a playoff appearance. Cleveland finished with a commendable 11-6 record in 2023 despite starting quarterback Deshaun Watson suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 10.
With the Browns attempting to earn consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since 1989, Hopkins' future with the team is now confirmed beyond the 2024 season.