The New England Patriots now have three tight ends on their depth chart.
The team has reached an agreement with free agent Austin Hooper on a one-year deal worth up to $4.25 million, as reported by NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero on Tuesday evening. ESPN’s Mike Reiss noted that the deal has a base value of $3 million.
Hooper, 29, has played in 122 games since being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2016 draft. He earned consecutive Pro Bowl selections during his time with the Falcons, including a Super Bowl LI appearance against the Patriots.
He later played for the Cleveland Browns, where he overlapped with new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, before joining the Tennessee Titans in 2022 and the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023.
Having started 68 games, Hooper’s NFL career has seen him make 364 receptions for 3,702 yards and 25 touchdowns. Last season was the first time he was kept out of the end zone, finishing his AFC West tenure with 25 catches for 234 yards while playing 53 percent of the offensive snaps alongside rookie tight end Michael Mayer.
Listed at 6-foot-4, 254 pounds, Hooper joins a tight end group in Foxborough that also includes veteran Hunter Henry and 53-man roster addition La’Michael Pettway.
Mike Gesicki signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals just before the start of the new league year, while tight end Pharaoh Brown remains unsigned as Wednesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline approaches.
