Austin Hooper has agreed to a deal with the Cleveland Browns that will make him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The 49ers are involved in this deal in a couple ways.
First, NFL Media’s Mike Silver reported San Francisco was among the teams in on Hooper in free agency.
The 49ers could use some additional tight end depth behind George Kittle, and Hooper has experience with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. He was a third-round pick of the Falcons during Shanahan’s final season there as the offensive coordinator. Hooper has since developed into a good blocker with playmaking ability as a pass catcher. He posted career highs across the board last season with 75 catches, 787 yards and six touchdown receptions.
San Francisco’s interest in Hooper gives an indication that they’ll aim to add a tight end either in free agency, the trade market or the draft. Kittle, Ross Dwelley and Daniel Helm are the only tight ends slated to be on the roster. Levine Toilolo saw snaps last season as the third tight end, but he’s an unrestricted free agent.
The second way this impacts the 49ers is by resetting the market for tight ends. Kittle is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is eligible this offseason for an extension. He was already set to receive the highest contract ever for a tight end, and now Hooper offers a new target for Kittle and his agents as they negotiate a long-term deal to keep the All-Pro in San Francisco.
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