Tag: Dustin Hopkins Chargers

Chargers re-signing kicker Dustin Hopkins

The Chargers are bringing back their kicker.

As the Chargers look to reshape their special teams under new coordinator Ryan Ficken, Dustin Hopkins will be a part of the plans next season.

Los Angeles re-signed Hopkins to a three-year contract on Sunday.

According to Sirius XM’s Adam Caplan, Hopkins receives three-year extension for $9 million with upside to $12 million, with more than $4.6 million guaranteed.

After being let go of by the Washington Commanders midway through the 2021 season, Hopkins was picked up by L.A. In 11 games, he converted 18 of 20 field-goal attempts and 30 of 32 extra-point tries.

Chargers hire Ryan Ficken as special teams coordinator

The Chargers have a new special teams coordinator.

After allowing time for the dust of the 2021 season to settle, it became clear that the Chargers needed help in the special teams department. Fast.

Los Angeles announced Thursday that Ryan Ficken will join the staff as the team’s new special teams coordinator. The hiring was initially reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Ficken replaces Derius Swinton II after just a single season.

Ficken has spent the last eight years as an assistant special teams coach with the Minnesota Vikings. Ficken also served on the Vikings staff as wide receivers and running backs coach from 2007-12. He was a graduate assistant at UCLA before starting his career coaching professional football.

Pelissero also mentioned the Vikings originally blocked Ficken from interviewing, but persistence from the Chargers resulted in him being allowed to pursue the opportunity.

On the offensive side of the ball, things were sound. Kick returner Andre Roberts ranked first in the league with a 32.8-yard return average. Placekicker Dustin Hopkins made 18 of 20 field goals and 30 of 32 extra points after he was picked up by the team in Week 8. 

However, Los Angeles ranked last in net punting last season. Starter Ty Long averaged 36.8 yards per boot on 47 attempts, pinning just 11 inside the 20-yard line. 

Under Ficken’s oversight on the Vikings, kicker Greg Joseph led the NFC and ranked fifth in the league with 33 made field goals. Punter Jordan Berry finished the season 13th in net punt average. Minnesota churned out a second-place finish in kick return average and scored twice on kickoffs.

Based on how highly the Chargers viewed Ficken and their efforts to draw him away from the Vikings, expect him to stabilize a unit that was wildly inconsistent and turn it into an asset. 

Dustin Hopkins’ field goal gets Chargers back in the win column

Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins came in clutch.

The Chargers kicking woes were one of the team’s most prevalent weaknesses this season.

Kicker Dustin Hopkins shed some light though after making the game-winning field goal from 29 yards out to hand the Bolts a much-needed 27-24 victory over the Eagles Sunday.

“It’s kind of a cool feeling that you could potentially be your very best in that moment. Also, after an opportunity that you didn’t capitalize on early, it’s kind of like you want that again, so it was nice to have the opportunity.”

In the third quarter, Hopkins missed an extra point which made many fans feel reminiscent of former kicker Tristan Vizcaino, who struggled during his time in the blue and gold.

“I rushed doing things a little bit. I liked my process all game, except for on that one kick,” Hopkins said. “I’ve got to be better.”

Despite his error, the eight-year player made his kick when it mattered the most.

“Kickers, we got a stigma about us,” Hopkins said.

Especially with the Chargers, there’s been a negative stigma around the team’s kickers for years now. The team is hopeful that he is the solution, at least for the remainder of the season.