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Browns' savvy investment in Dustin Hopkins paying off with long-term contract extension

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Charles Goldman | Last updated Jul 15, 2024 9:31 PM ET

The Cleveland Browns have signed a key specialist to a long-term contract extension according to multiple reports.

When the Browns sent a seventh-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Chargers in August of 2023 for K Dustin Hopkins, few people believed he might be the solution they hoped for. After all, they'd just seen a former high-round draft pick struggle in Cade York during the 2022 NFL season. As it turns out, Hopkins was exactly the solution that the Browns were looking for.

Hopkins went on to have a standout campaign with his new team in 2023 and has now earned an extension that gives him a raise compared to his previous contract. The three-year deal worth $15.9M puts him in the top 15 kickers in the NFL in terms of both total value and AAV.

: #Browns and K Dustin Hopkins reached agreement on a 3-year, $15.9M extension, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/EBeDZTmsqU
— A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) July 15, 2024

Hopkins appeared in just 15 regular season games in 2023 and his 123 total points ranked 12th in the NFL. His 91.7% field goal percentage also ranked 13th in the NFL. His 123 total points ranked 12th in the NFL. His 91.7% field goal percentage also ranked 13th in the NFL and he set a franchise record for the most field goals made in a single season in Browns history.

If one area of his game needed improvement in 2023, it was kickoffs. He kicked the ball off 77 times with 50 of them going for touchbacks. With the new kickoff rules in 2024, that might not matter quite as much.

The 2023 season performance landed Hopkins two AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, one in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers and another in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. He also set an NFL record for the most (5) consecutive games with a field goal made of 50 yards or more.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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