Austin Hooper has returned to the Atlanta Falcons on a one-year deal, the team announced on Mar. 16. After last playing for the Falcons in 2019, Hooper has spent time with four other teams, including a stint with Kevin Stefanski’s Cleveland Browns from 2020 to 2021. Despite changes to the team’s facility and staff, Hooper said he still feels a sense of familiarity within the organization.
Hooper described his decision to return as an easy one, citing his relationship with Stefanski and his appreciation for the coach’s style and approach. “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.”
While touring the updated Falcons facility, Hooper also reunited with Matt Ryan—now serving in an executive role rather than as quarterback. Reflecting on Ryan’s transition from player to executive, Hooper said on the Atlanta Falcons Podcast Network: “This man went from throwing me touchdowns to now it’s like, ‘Hi, Mr. President.’ But nah, he’s still Matt.” He added that Ryan’s work ethic and attention to detail would continue to serve him well in this new position: “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… I don’t see him changing what made him such a great player and those core philosophies that helped him reach such heights.”
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 has advanced twice to the Super Bowl—in 1998 and again in 2016 according to their official website. Freddie the Falcon serves as its mascot according to their official website.
Looking ahead at another season with Atlanta, Hooper reflected on how both he and the organization have grown since he was drafted by them in 2016 but emphasized that some things remain unchanged: “Just like (when I was drafted), I am super excited to be a Falcon again… I still have my love for the game, just like I did when I was 21.”
