Browns and Austin Hooper Reportedly Agree to Deal to Make Him Highest-Paid NFL Tight End

It didn't take long for Austin Hooper to find a new NFL home. The Cleveland Browns were always expected to be at the forefront of his market this offseason, but just an hour into the league's legal tampering window, the Browns have all but locked down the star tight end.

Per Adam Schefter, Hooper himself has stated that he's almost certainly headed to Cleveland in free agency unless some unexpected snag occurs.

Austin Hooper just now: "I'm definitely leaning Cleveland. Unless something comes up unexected, then no question Cleveland is the leader."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020

The deal, according to reports, is expected to make Hooper the highest-paid tight end in football after his Pro Bowl campaign in 2019. Having made just $2.2 million last season, the 25-year-old is now due for a major pay raise in joining a Browns offense loaded with weapons.

#Falcons free agent TE Austin Hooper, the top player at his position, is headed to the #Browns, per @TomPelissero, @MikeSilver and me. They’ve agreed to terms, he’s the new highest-paid TE.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020

Last season in Atlanta, Hooper racked up 75 receptions for 787 yards and six touchdowns across 13 games, earning his second straight trip to the Pro Bowl.

The current highest-paid tight end in football is Chiefs star Travis Kelce, who pockets $9.36 million per season, while Jimmy Graham, now a free agent, earned $10 million in 2019. Considering the reports that Kelce has been de-throned as the position's highest earner, you can expect Hooper to be making seven figures in 2020 when the dust setttles.