Browns plan to keep Austin Hooper

Austin Hooper is apparently not on the way out of town, that is according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Fowler reported Monday that the team intends to keep Hooper even after applying the franchise tag to fellow tight end David Njoku.

It did not appear likely that Austin Hooper would remain with the team after tagging Njoku, especially after a report surfaced that the team was offering a deal in the $13 million per year range to their designated franchise player. That is before acknowledging that the signing of Hooper by Cleveland has been a disappointment.

Prior to coming to the Browns, Austin Hooper was coming off a career year with 75 receptions for 787 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games. In Cleveland things have changed for the worse. Hooper has just 84 receptions, 780 yards, and seven touchdowns in two seasons, an incredibly underwhelming amount of production. While the transition from an offense more pass oriented in Atlanta to Cleveland is a reason, the drop off in quarterback talent is also a large factor.

There is two years remaining on Hooper’s contract with cap hits of $13.25 million each year. A post-June 1st cut designation could save Cleveland $9.5 million if they choose to go that route, but for now the team intends to keep two very expensive tight ends on the roster.