Browns Dustin Hopkins: Contract extension makes release unlikely despite 3 misses in Week 11

The Cleveland Browns have issues on the field and issues with the salary cap. In many ways, the two things overlap in many ways. QB Deshaun Watson has failed miserably, but his contract makes it difficult for the Browns to move on from him, regardless of what many believe.

Last year, K Dustin Hopkins was a great find by GM Andrew Berry. In return for a seventh-round pick in 2025, Cleveland’s kicker hit 33 of 36 field goals, including eight for eight on longs over 50 yards.

Berry signed Hopkins to a three-year extension this offseason, putting him near the top of the highest-paid kickers in the league.

Like most things for the Browns in 2024, Hopkins has fallen apart this year, including missing three field goals in the first half versus the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Prior to the games against the Saints, Hopkins had already missed four field goals this year, including three over 50 yards.

While fans quickly called for the kicker to be released, his contract makes that unlikely.

Waiving Hopkins, assuming he wouldn’t be claimed, would more than double his salary cap this year and cost dead cap next year. Releasing Hopkins in the offseason before June 1 would do the same thing and raise his salary cap from $2.8 million to $5.67 million.

A release after June 1 this offseason would raise his cap charge by $684,000 in 2025 and then add about $2 million in dead cap in 2026.

Like Watson, Hopkins’ contract makes him unlikely to be released despite his struggles.