Two-Time Pro Bowl Tight End Signs with the Falcons
This past NFL season, the New England Patriots put themselves back on the map, finishing the regular season with a 14-3 record and making their first Super Bowl appearance since 2019. In Super Bowl LX, the Seattle Seahawks dominated the Patriots; nonetheless, New England showcased their talents and depth. With the Patriots, two-time Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper experienced true team success for the first time in his career. Despite not recording stats as high as he did in 2024, New England successfully formulated a winning game plan, and Hooper played a crucial role in that success. Today, it was announced by Ian Rapoport that the 31-year-old signed a one-deal to return to where he was originally drafted with the Atlanta Falcons.
Hooper played two years at Stanford before he was selected with the 81st overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He was the second tight end drafted behind his future Patriots teammate Hunter Henry. He spent four seasons in Atlanta, with his best statistical season coming in 2019, when he recorded 787 receiving yards and six touchdowns. In the 2020 offseason, the two-time Pro Bowl tight end signed a four-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. Two seasons later, the Browns would release him, with the Tennessee Titans signing Hooper to a one-year deal. In Tennessee, the 31-year-old found himself under the guidance of none other than Mike Vrabel, the same coach who coached him during his time in New England. Yet, a year later, Hooper would sign with the Las Vegas Raiders. It wasn’t until 2024 that the two-time Pro Bowl tight end signed with the Patriots, where he had a consistent home for over a season.
Last season, Hooper played in 16 games, finishing with 263 receiving yards and two touchdowns. As mentioned, this was lower than his 2024 stats of 476 receiving yards and three touchdowns. However, Hooper, as well as Henry, played a huge role as a blocker for quarterback Drake Maye. With the Falcons, the two-time Pro Bowl tight end will look to be an elite blocker, record better numbers, and find success once again in his 11th NFL season.
