Packers free agency: Austin Hooper would be a dream signing
Tight end Austin Hooper would be a great signing for the Green Bay Packers if he hits free agency this offseason.
The Green Bay Packers have swung and missed on the tight end position more often than not in recent years. Outside of Jared Cook, there has been a long list of free-agent signings who haven’t paid off in Green Bay.
Martellus Bennett. Lance Kendricks. Jimmy Graham.
Austin Hooper could put an end to that if the Packers are able to sign him in free agency this offseason.
Simply put, the Packers offense needs more playmakers. At tight end, wide receiver and running back. GM Brian Gutekunst needs to surround Aaron Rodgers with more talent this offseason so the Packers don’t have to lean on Davante Adams and Aaron Jones as often as they did in 2019.
Hooper could instantly become a difference-maker in Matt LaFleur’s offense.
The Atlanta Falcons tight end won’t come cheap, but he could be worth every penny. Just 25 years old, Hooper is hitting the prime of his career after developing his game with the Falcons.
He’s coming off an excellent season in Atlanta, finishing with 75 catches for 787 yards and six touchdowns, all career-bests. And he achieved that despite missing three games due to injury.
The Packers haven’t had consistency at the tight end position since Jermichael Finley was on the team. Even with Jared Cook in 2016, he made a slow start and came on strong late in the season.
With Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis hitting free agency and Jimmy Graham’s future up in the air, adding more talent at the position next to second-year Jace Sternberger will be a must. A duo of Hooper and Sternberger could be a lot of fun to watch.
LaFleur also knows a lot about Hooper. He was the quarterbacks coach during Hooper’s rookie year when he caught four touchdowns, including one in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.
He’d be a good fit in LaFleur’s offense and could quickly become a go-to target for Rodgers. The Packers need more receiving options, and Hooper could be the perfect addition in free agency if he hits the market.