The Cleveland Browns have a deal with Austin Hooper that will make him the NFL's highest-paid tight end, ESPN's Vaughn McClure reports.
The contract is reportedly worth $44 million over four years with $23 million guaranteed.
The former Atlanta Falcons standout hit the market Monday as the top available tight end. His receiving numbers improved through all four of his seasons with the Falcons, and he finished the 2019 campaign with 75 catches for 787 yards and six touchdowns.
The 25-year-old will join a talented Browns receiving corps that features Odell Beckham Jr. out wide and Jarvis Landry in the slot. Cleveland's running game is also explosive with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in the backfield.
Adding Hooper thrusts fourth-year tight end and former first-round pick David Njoku into uncertain waters. Injuries plagued Njoku in 2019, and he landed in former head coach Freddie Kitchens' doghouse.
Cleveland went 6-10 last season and parted ways with Kitchens and general manager John Dorsey at the end of the year. The Browns haven't reached the playoffs since 2002.
