CLEVELAND — Kicker Dustin Hopkins has agreed to a three-year, $15.9 million contract extension with the Cleveland Browns, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday night.
Hopkins was a major weapon for Cleveland last season after coming over in a trade from the Los Angeles Chargers. He'll be under contract through the 2027 season, said the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract hasn't been signed.
ESPN.com was first to report the agreement, which makes Hopkins one of the NFL's highest-paid kickers.
The 33-year-old Hopkins made 33 of 36 field-goal tries and 24 of 26 extra points last season for the Browns, who got him for a 2025 seventh-round pick.
Hopkins was unable to kick in the playoffs after suffering a severe hamstring injury while trying to chase down a returner against Houston in Week 16.
Hopkins was particularly good from long range, going 8 for 8 on kicks of at least 50 yards, setting a new Browns record. Not only was his prowess from long-range record-breaking, but Hopkins finished three points (123) under Browns legend Jim Brown's 1965 season (126) for most points scored by a Cleveland player in a single season.
Hopkins provided the following statement after signing his deal, "I had a whole new feeling pulling in as far as the familiarity from being here last year, but also a place that is like, ‘Hey, this is this is going to be home for a while now.’ So, it feels great,” Hopkins said. “I've been telling other people that have not interacted with people from Cleveland haven't been here, first and foremost, how great all the people I've interacted with have been – not just in the building, but even outside in the city. Just like a good hard working people group that are kind and friendly, but also have a nice grit to them. I think it's a great combination. So, I'm excited.”
He spent seven seasons with Washington before joining the Chargers in 2021. Hopkins has made 223 of 260 field-goal attempts (85.8%) in his career.
“When we traded for Dustin at the end of last year’s training camp it was with the intent of stabilizing our ability to produce in high leverage kicking situations,” Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry said. “He was not only able to accomplish this goal in the most difficult kicking environment in the NFL, but also quickly endeared himself to our locker room through his work ethic, team-orientation and relatability. We’re pleased to have Dustin and his family—Gabby, Wake and Wiley—in Cleveland for the next several seasons.”
The Browns made the move for Hopkins after kicker Cade York struggled throughout the preseason. York is now back with Cleveland after signing a one-year contract in March. York was originally drafted by the Browns in the fourth round in 2022.
Hopkins continued his praise of the organization in his comments after signing the new extension saying, “After being here, it's the best run organization I've been a part of, top to bottom,” Hopkins said. “As far as everybody in this building feels like they're pulling in the same direction, like and we're all working toward a common goal. From ownership to whatever level, you want to choose, it feels like everybody's willing to do whatever it takes to try to bring the city a winning team. And so, I've always felt like the entire organization respects everyone in the building. And that's kind of rare, that everybody treats each other with a lot of respect just as humans. I’ve always felt like I've been treated as a person first year, which makes all the difference in the world when you're coming into work.”