BREAKING: Cleveland Browns has landed another veteran player on a long term deal
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns have signed kicker Dustin Hopkins to a three-year contract extension worth $15.9 million that will last through the 2027 season.
Sources: 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. pic.twitter.com/1fq3bpch1a
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 15, 2024
According to Schefter, Hopkins’ new contract now ties him with Ka’imi Fairbairn of the Houston Texans for the fifth-highest average yearly contract value among active kickers.
Hopkins played 15 games for the Browns last season after being acquired by the team in an August 2023 deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, $8.362 million of the contract is guaranteed.
Cleveland planned to start the 2023 season with former fourth-round pick Cade York, but he failed during the preseason before being cut and replaced by Hopkins.
The Browns brought York back in March, but Hopkins will certainly take the starting job in 2024, according to Monday’s deal announcement.
Hopkins was a sixth-round choice in the 2013 NFL draft who spent six full seasons with Washington until being released in the midst of the 2021 season and later signed by Los Angeles.
His first year in Cleveland was a huge success, as he connected on 33 of 36 field-goal tries. Hopkins also demonstrated his leg strength on multiple occasions, converting all eight field-goal attempts of at least 50 yards.
The 33-year-old made many game-winning kicks for the Browns, helping them win several close games and advance to the playoffs. Cleveland Browns with a respectable 11-6 record in 2023, despite starting quarterback Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury in Week 10.
Dustin Hopkins’ kick is good. @Browns win! pic.twitter.com/F3Y21hSgHO
— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
With the Browns hoping to make consecutive postseason appearances for the first time since 1989, Hopkins’ future with the team has been assured beyond the 2024 season.
