Dustin

Hopkins

The deal comes after Hopkins’ career-best 91.7 percent field goal conversion rate in 2023. He was extremely accurate from afar, converting eight-of-eight field goal attempts from 50-plus yards. Among 33 NFL kickers to attempt at least 10 total field goals, Hopkins is one of just three such players to produce a 100.0 percent conversion rate at that distance.

The $5.3 million annual value places Hopkins amongst the top-five highest paid kickers in the league and ties him to the Browns through the 2027 season. The 10-year veteran made 33-of-36 field goal attempts in 2023, marking the third consecutive season with a conversion rate higher than 90 percent. Last season was also the first time in four years that Hopkins attempted more than 20 field goals after battling various injuries in his last year with the Commanders and two years with the Chargers. The extension also indicates a commitment from the Browns after the franchise brought in Lucas Havrisik earlier in the offseason.

Havrisik had a brief stint with the Browns last season but never attempted a field goal for them. The third-year kicker did, however, make nine appearances for the Rams last season, converting on 15-of-20 field goals, with four of them coming from 40-plus yards out. He’ll presumably get a chance to compete with Dustin Hopkins and Cade York for the Browns’ starting kicker role this season. Last season, Hopkins converted on 33-of-36 of his field goal attempts.

People participating in playoff contests this postseason will need to consider removing Hopkins from their lineups. Hopkins hasn’t kicked since Week 16 and will be replaced by Riley Patterson, who has attempted one field goal in Hopkins’ absence. Patterson kicked earlier this season for the Lions and is 16-for-18 on his field goal attempts this season.

Hopkins hurt his hamstring in Week 16 against the Texans and has not played since. He will not practice on Tuesday and Stefanski made it clear that it’s unlikely Hopkins will be able to play this weekend. Riley Patterson will most likely kick in his place.

Hopkins hurt his hamstring last week against the Texans and did not return to the game. He’s made 33 of 36 field goal tries this season, serving as a reliable kicker for the Browns. Cleveland will need to find a fill-in kicker for this Thursday night against the Jets.

In the midst of a solid fantasy season and set up for a nice Christmas Eve in Texas, Hopkins was injured trying to chase down Dameon Pierce on a second quarter kick return touchdown. Browns P Corey Bojorquez evidently can’t kick field goals, so it’s all fourth-down attempts and two-point conversions from here on out. Hopkins will probably need to be replaced during the week.

Just moments after the Browns traded for Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins, the team made the move to cut Cade York. York converted just 4-of-8 field goals this season and saw his final preseason attempt blocked by the Chiefs. York converted 24 of his 32 field goal attempts last season and will likely find another job at some point in the season.

Second-year kicker Cameron Dicker won the Chargers’ kicking competition, making Hopkins expendable. Now, Hopkins will get a chance to win the Browns starting kicker job over Cade York, who has struggled throughout training camp and the preseason. Hopkins made both of his preseason field goal attempts and has converted on 84.8 percent of his attempts for his career.

He’ll miss at least the next four weeks. Hopkins has already missed an entire IR stint worth of time with his hamstring, which has kept him out since Week 6’s overtime Monday night win over Denver. Cameron Dicker will remain the Chargers kicker going forward and was signed to the active roster.