On Thursday, we finally heard the first rumblings of another team being interested in Austin Hooper as he is set to hit the open market. Just one day later, another organization is reportedly targeting him, proof his market will be as robust as they come in a few weeks. According to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com, the Washington Redskins are a team that is highly interested in the Falcons’ tight end:
The Redskins are one of the teams that have a strong interest in tight end Austin Hooper, a source tells me. Falcons letting Hooper reach free agency. Two-time Pro Bowler, at age 25 and ascending, sure to be an attractive option for teams.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) February 28, 2020
The Redskins have a hole to fill at the position. Longtime tight end Jordan Reed was rocked in a preseason game last year in Atlanta, and he just passed the concussion protocol a couple of weeks ago. Washington cut him shortly after. Apparently, the Rams have an interest in signing Reed, but I have legitimate concerns about his health if he continues playing. However, the rebuilding Redskins have to find a replacement, so who better than the best tight end available on the open market?
Washington has over $60 million available in cap space, so they are a classic case of a terrible team that might be willing to overpay a bit for their guy, and outbid the cash strapped Falcons. The Bears might not be able to do that — the other reported team of interest — but Washington figures to have a legit chance of landing Hooper in free agency, and the Falcons simply do not have the means to make a competitive offer.
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