The Cleveland Browns are sticking with kicker Dustin Hopkins in Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins.
ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi reported that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has named kicker Hopkins the starter for Week 17 against the Dolphins. This comes after the Browns added another kicker, Andre Szymt, to the practice squad.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said Dustin Hopkins will be the team’s kicker on Sunday.
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) December 27, 2024
After a strong 2023 season where he went 33-for-36 on field goal attempts and earned an extension, Hopkins has struggled in his second year with Cleveland. He has converted just 16 of 25 field goals and missed three extra points.
To address the kicking position, the Browns briefly used Riley Patterson in a game before Atlanta signed him off their practice squad. Cleveland also added Szmyt to the practice squad for the competition, though Szmyt has yet to kick in an NFL game.
The Browns would take on a minor cap hit if they were to release Hopkins before the end of 2025 because of his recent extension. However, a return to form would benefit both parties, as the team hopes Hopkins can regain the confidence that made him a reliable option in 2023.
