The Cleveland Browns were unwilling to say if Dustin Hopkins will be their kicker when the regular season arrives.
The Browns have two kickers in camp — Hopkins and journeyman Andre
Szmyt. They split time against the Philadelphia Eagles in the team’s second preseason game. Hopkins hit a field goal from 46 yards out, while Szmyt hit a pair of field goals — the longest from 49 yards.
The Browns worked exclusively with Hopkins in their first preseason game. He hit a field goal but also missed one of his four extra points.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski danced around the question when asked if Hopkins would be the Browns’ kicker when Week 1 rolls around.
“I think Week 1 is coming soon enough, but all of our guys are doing a great job. Dustin’s doing a great job. Excited for Andre (Szmyt) to make those kicks in that game, but, yeah, we’ll save week one for week one,” Stefanski said.
He added that it was “always the plan” to have Szmyt kick against the Eagles.
Dustin Hopkins Coming Off Difficult Year With Browns
The uncertainty with Hopkins did not come out of nowhere. The 34-year-old specialist struggled last season, hitting just 66% of his field goals (18-of-27). He also missed three extra points.
That came after a sparkling 2023 where Hopkins was nearly perfect. He went 33-36 on his kicks that season, including a perfect 8-of-8 from 50 yards or more.
“I think with any player, you know, it’s a new season. Everything that you’ve done in the past, obviously those things contribute and matter, but we’re clean slate,” Browns special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone said in June. “I feel like he’s in a good space mentally. I think that he has hit the ball well in the spring to this point. Had a nice day yesterday and we’re just gonna keep working it like we have and understand that it’s a process, and we’re gonna get to where we’re going.”
Part of the issue for the Browns is that they’re somewhat stuck with Hopkins. The team signed him to a three-year extension following his 2023 campaign, which put him among the top-paid kickers in the league.
If the Browns were to release Hopkins before the start of the regular season, the move would trigger a dead-cap charge of roughly $5.67 million. With all the other roster holes and contracts the Browns are trying to manage, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense for Cleveland.
Browns to Announce Starting Quarterback Soon
Kicker is not the most notable position battle on the Browns. All eyes have been on the quarterback competition that includes Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Stefanski said the Browns will finally name a starter for Week 1 this week.
“Obviously we’ll name a starter. It’s going to come this week,” Stefanski said on Sunday. “We still anticipate all of our players, whether you’re a starter or not, to prepare like you’re the starter and knowing all of our players in that room, that’s exactly what they’ll do.”
The Browns are expected to name 40-year-old Flacco as the starter. He’s remained healthy and will give the Browns some veteran experience and leadership for their grueling early schedule.
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