Austin Hooper is making his way back to familiar territory, rejoining the Atlanta Falcons after two seasons with the New England Patriots. The veteran tight end has inked a one-year, $3.25 million deal, as reported by NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, just as the league’s tampering window kicked off.
Hooper, now 31, made a solid impact during his time in Foxborough. Over 33 games, he contributed 66 receptions for 739 yards and five touchdowns.
His role was pivotal, especially with Hunter Henry leading the tight end group. Hooper logged 1,087 offensive snaps, showcasing his reliability and experience under the guidance of coaches like Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels.
Drafted by the Falcons in 2016 as the 81st overall pick, Hooper quickly made a name for himself, earning Pro Bowl honors twice during his initial run with the team. His journey began with a memorable Super Bowl LI appearance against the Patriots and spanned until 2019.
Since then, Hooper has added stints with the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and Las Vegas Raiders to his resume before landing with the Patriots as an unrestricted free agent in 2024. Across 155 games and 82 starts, he’s amassed 430 receptions, 4,441 yards, and 30 touchdowns-a testament to his consistent performance.
As the NFL gears up for another exciting season, open negotiations with free agents began at noon ET on Monday, with the new league year officially starting at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Hooper’s return to Atlanta adds an intriguing chapter to his career, and Falcons fans will be eager to see what he brings back to the field.