Austin Hooper has returned to the Atlanta Falcons on a one-year deal, the team announced on Mar. 16. After playing for four other teams since his last season with Atlanta in 2019, Hooper said coming back was an easy decision, especially with the opportunity to work again with coach Kevin Stefanski.
Hooper’s return is significant for both him and the organization. The tight end described how much both he and the team’s facility have changed since he was first drafted by Atlanta in 2016. “I’ve grown up,” Hooper said, reflecting on his personal development alongside the modernization of the Falcons’ building.
Hooper highlighted his appreciation for Stefanski’s coaching style and offensive schemes. “Understanding his style, his philosophy, his approach, the way he leads his team,” Hooper said. “Also, the way he makes sure that his entire staff as a whole is on the same page and able to articulate the same message to the players, he does a phenomenal job.” He also noted familiarity with multiple tight end sets and route concepts used by Stefanski.
During his visit to the new facility, Hooper encountered another familiar face: Matt Ryan. No longer quarterback but now an executive within the organization, Ryan left an impression on Hooper. “This man went from throwing me touchdowns to now it’s like, ‘Hi, Mr. President,'” Hooper said with a laugh on the Atlanta Falcons Podcast Network. Despite Ryan’s new role, Hooper expressed continued respect: “What I think will really allow him to succeed in this role will be the same type of deal that helped him succeed as being one of the best passers in the history of the game,” he explained.
The Atlanta Falcons are based in Atlanta, Georgia according to their official website. The team competes in the National Football League’s NFC South division according to their official website and began as an expansion team in 1965 according to their official website. The franchise advanced to two Super Bowls—in 1998 and 2016—and features Freddie the Falcon as its mascot according to their official website.
Looking ahead to another season with Atlanta, Hooper summed up his feelings: “Just like (when I was drafted), I am super excited to be a Falcon again,” he said. “… I still have my love for the game, just like I did when I was 21.”
