Here To Stay: Analyzing Dustin Hopkins' Extension and Who Could Be Next for The Browns
The Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms with kicker Dustin Hopkins on a long-term extension before the new season begins. The contract is reported to be a 3-year contract extension worth up to $15.9M and $8.362M guaranteed, per Mary Kay Cabot. This makes the Browns kicker the 5th highest paid at his position and a huge part of Cleveland's long-term plan. Hopkins is coming off his best career season after being acquired via trade by the Browns last year just before the 2023 season began. Last season, the Browns kicker was 33/36 on his FG attempts, totaling a career-best 91.7% PCT and a career high in made FG's. Hopkins also managed to hit a career long FG of 58 yards this past year as one of his many accomplishments, along with his ability to perform like this in Lake Erie's outdoor conditions. This is a talent that you require on your team if you want to compete in the AFC North.
The AFC North is compiled with many Browns rivals that all include a very talented kicker. The Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers all have kickers who are considered to be some of the best in the National Football League. Having a solidified player at the kicker position like Dustin Hopkins will not only help ensure confidence in your special teams, but in your ability to focus and perform as a coach and player due to the trust you have in your kicker. There have been times when Chris Boswell and Justin Tucker have stepped up in critical moments for their teams, and hopefully, Hopkins can answer the call as he did in 2023.
Now that Browns GM Andrew Berry has completed his contract negotiations with Hopkins, let's take a look at who on Cleveland's roster should be next in line for an extension:
Amari Cooper
As we covered last week on WFNY, Pro Bowl WR Amari Cooper is currently in a subtle but attention-worthy standoff with Cleveland's front office over his current contract length. Some of his potential successors have found themselves with new contracts, a trust Cooper wants to see be put in his ability moving forward. After most recently signing new WR Jerry Jeudy to the same length extension, the Browns extend their kicker with the tension of other potential extensions also looming. While Cooper is set to make over $23M this season, it is the length of his one-year contract that has shown his inability to fully trust the organization as they approach training camp. There is no report of the Browns star requesting a trade, but the news of Cooper's absence struck after fellow Crimson Tide alumni Jerry Jeudy received his new contract. In just two seasons, Cooper's start to his Cleveland career has been almost unparalleled to those in the franchise's history. He has had a reputation as one of the craftiest route runners in the NFL along with exceptional pass-catching abilities for almost a decade. During his 2023 campaign, Cooper set Browns receiving records for 3rd most receptions and yards in a single season. Cooper deserves to be paid following a phenomenal year, even with the obstacles of 4 different quarterbacks and the absence of Nick Chubb in the run game.
Wyatt Teller
Another offensive weapon the Browns would like to extend is Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller. The pairing of Teller and Bitonio has proven to be a phenomenal success since Teller was acquired via trade from the Buffalo Bills. During their five-year run in Cleveland, the duo have an argument for the best guard pair in the NFL during that time, and the Browns would like to keep it this way. The team is most likely facing the issue of who to start at the tackle positions among the return of Jack Conklin. While extending Teller is not the immediate priority for Browns General Manager Andrew Berry, this extension would help protect the $63M investment of Deshaun Watson. Another goal that a Teller extension would accomplish is the health and security of Browns superstar running back Nick Chubb, one fans would consider the top priority of 2024.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
It is hard to say anyone on the defensive side of the ball is more deserving of an extension than JOK. After failing to be selected in the first round, the former Notre Dame prodigy has been nothing but successful to start his NFL career in Cleveland. In his first three seasons, JOK has collected 247 tackles with 30 of them being for loss, along with 7 total forced turnovers. This past season was easily his best under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The potential of this young linebacker was unlocked as he collected 101 total tackles and two INT's. Along with these career-best stats, he also led the NFL in tackles for loss for almost the entire season. Only Anthony Walker has made more of an impact at linebacker for the Browns in the last few seasons, but Walker has a longstanding injury history and is (much) older than JOK. Many players in the NFL are extended based off of their past statistics and abilities, but JOK would be a genius investment for Cleveland as he stands only 24 years old. The Fighting Irish alumni is not only one of the youngest linebackers in Cleveland, but statistically the best on the roster.