Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Patriots reportedly re-sign tight end Austin Hooper to 1-year deal
Hooper appeared in 17 games last season with New England — catching 45 passes for 476 yards and three touchdowns.
The New England Patriots are reportedly re-upping one of Drake Maye’s most dependable pass-catchers from last season.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, New England is re-signing veteran tight end Austin Hooper on a one-year, $5 million contract that has a max value of $7 million.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Hooper was one of Eliot Wolf’s better free-agent signings last offseason — with the 30-year-old tight end forming an effective 1-2 punch at the tight-end position alongside Hunter Henry.
Hooper also has some familiarity with new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, as he played for him in Tennessee during the 2022 season.
Advertisement:
While Henry (66 catches for 674 yards and two touchdowns) was planted atop the depth chart, Hooper provided plenty of value in a backup role during the 2024 campaign. Hooper appeared in 17 games last season with New England, catching 45 passes for 476 yards with three touchdowns.
On a Patriots’ offense that struggled throughout the 2024 season, New England found some success deploying a two-tight-end set between Henry and Hooper. The latter recorded his most receiving yards in a single season since the 2019 campaign.
While New England still has plenty of work to do when it comes to upgrading an offense that ranked 31st in the league in yards per game (291.9) and 30th in points per game (17.0), bringing back a veteran like Hooper should solidify what is already a strong tight-end grouping in Foxborough.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com