The Tennessee Titans have found their next starting tight end after reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal with former Cleveland Browns tight end, Austin Hooper.
The news comes from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who notes that the Titans will pay Hooper $6 million in the one-year pact.
Tight end was among Tennessee’s biggest needs entering the offseason after they deployed a three-man rotation of one-dimensional players at the position in 2021, Geoff Swaim, Anthony Firkser and MyCole Pruitt.
Hooper is a good blocker and pass-catcher, the two boxes Tennessee needed to check in its next starting tight end.
During his two years with the Browns, Hooper saw a decline in his receiving numbers from his days in Atlanta (780 receiving yards in 29 games), but it’s important to note he moved from a pass-heavy offense to a run-heavy one.
With the Falcons, Hooper posted a pair of 600-plus yard seasons, including a career-high 787 yards and six scores in 13 games in 2019, showing he’s more than capable of making a big impact in the passing game.
The Titans likely aren’t done at the tight end position. We could see one more signing to fill out the depth chart, but we really hope to see general manager Jon Robinson take one in the 2022 NFL draft.
