In 2022, Hooper will earn a base salary of $9,500,000, while carrying a cap hit of $13,250,000 and a dead cap value of $11,250,000. With these numbers, parting with Hooper would be cause for a major cap hit. Njoku was paid 6 million on his 5th year option. Though possible, I don't expect that Njoku is going to take a team discount to remain with the Browns considering the Browns are currently taking a $13,250,000 cap hit for Hooper. If you believe that Hooper's contract is bad and he's not living up to that fee (even though the Browns are not playing to his skill set and he came to the Browns with a history that warranted a big deal), it would hard to explain the thought process on giving Njoku a raise and long-term deal for his history of poor production, 148 catches and 1,754 yards over the last 5-years. I am pretty certain the Browns cannot and will not pay over 20 million per season for the TE position that's used mainly for blocking in Stefanski's scheme not withstanding the failure to play to their skill sets.
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