Report: Browns Have Agreed to a Three-Year Contract Extension To Secure the Services of One of Their Standout Kicker
The Cleveland Browns have secured the services of their standout kicker Dustin Hopkins with a three-year, $15.9 million extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This deal not only keeps Hopkins with the Browns through the 2027 season but also positions him among the NFL’s top five highest-paid kickers.
Hopkins was initially acquired from the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a seventh-round pick. The Browns had previously invested a fourth-round pick in Cade York in 2022, but after a rocky rookie year and inconsistent performances in training camp and preseason, the team decided to make the switch to Hopkins.
The move paid off as Hopkins delivered the best season of his career and set new franchise records. He was perfect on all eight attempts from 50+ yards, a significant improvement from his previous 15 for 30 record over nine seasons. Hopkins also achieved a career-high success rate of 91.7% on his field goal attempts, nailing multiple game-winning kicks throughout the season. Despite missing the final weeks of the season due to a hamstring injury sustained against the Houston Texans, Hopkins was instrumental in the Browns’ 11-win season and their playoff berth.
Entering the final year of his contract, the Browns opted to secure Hopkins for the long term, likely marking the final contract of his career. At 34 years old in 2024, Hopkins will be 37 by the end of this extension.
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
This move follows the recent announcement of Phil Dawson’s induction into the Browns Legends Club. With Lou Groza already enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as both an offensive tackle and place kicker, Hopkins has the opportunity to cement his legacy in Cleveland if he maintains his current level of performance.
Meanwhile, Cade York has returned to the Browns after spending time with other teams over the past year. He may find a spot on the team’s practice squad as he looks to recapture the potential he showed coming out of LSU. While extending Hopkins underscores a successful decision by general manager Andrew Berry, it also highlights the misstep in drafting York.
Repeating the remarkable success of his debut season with the Browns will be challenging for Hopkins. However, if he continues to make crucial kicks and the team progresses further in the 2024 season, possibly winning playoff games, his value will be unquestionable.
