Report: Browns releasing Hooper

The Cleveland Browns are set to release tight end Austin Hooper, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Cleveland will designate the veteran pass-catcher as a post-June 1 cut, gaining $9.5 million in cap space, per Over The Cap. It won't pick up that extra room until June 2 and will also carry a dead-money hit of $3.75 million.

The Browns were apparently intent on keeping Hooper despite using the franchise tag to retain fellow tight end David Njoku.

But the AFC North club's plans changed after trading for Amari Cooper - who carries a $20-million cap hit - and joining the pursuit of quarterback Deshaun Watson, adds Fowler.

Hooper signed with the Browns as a free agent in 2020 after racking up 146 catches for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns during his final two Pro Bowl seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

The 27-year-old struggled to replicate those numbers in Cleveland's run-first offense. He had 435 yards in 13 games in 2020 before dropping to 345 yards in 16 appearances last season.