Atlanta Falcons bolster offense with $3.25 million tight end signing

Atlanta Falcons have strengthened their offensive unit ahead of the 2026 NFL season by signing veteran tight end Austin Hooper to a one-year contract worth $3.25 million, according to NFL Network. The move reunites the franchise with a familiar face and adds valuable experience to Atlanta’s tight end group.

Hooper, who enters his 11th NFL season in 2026, previously played for the Falcons from 2016 to 2019 and enjoyed the most productive stretch of his career during that period. The veteran pass-catcher now returns to Atlanta hoping to provide stability and depth as the team continues shaping its offense for the upcoming campaign.

Veteran presence after time in New England

The 31-year-old tight end spent the previous two seasons with the New England Patriots, most recently appearing in 16 regular-season games during the 2025 campaign. Hooper recorded 21 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns while serving as a complementary option in the offense.

During the Patriots’ postseason run, Hooper also played in all four playoff games and registered three receptions for 24 yards. Across the regular season, he was on the field for 46 percent of the team’s offensive snaps, operating alongside starting tight end Hunter Henry.

Austin Hooper had initially joined New England on a one-year, $5 million contract that included a $2 million signing bonus. In the 2024 season, he delivered a more productive campaign with 45 receptions for 476 yards and three touchdowns.

Reunion with a franchise where he thrived

Atlanta Falcons represents a significant chapter in Hooper’s career. During his first stint with the Falcons, he emerged as one of the league’s top tight ends and earned Pro Bowl selections in both 2018 and 2019.

Those seasons also marked career-best performances for Hooper. In 2018, he finished with 71 receptions for 660 yards, before surpassing those numbers in 2019 with 75 catches for 787 yards. His consistency and reliability made him a key part of Atlanta’s passing attack at the time.

Since leaving Falcons, Austin Hooper has also had stops with the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders, gaining valuable experience across multiple offensive systems.

With Atlanta Falcons bringing him back on a one-year deal, the veteran tight end now has another opportunity to contribute to the team where he once reached Pro Bowl form while providing leadership and depth to Atlanta’s offensive lineup.