It used to be that on the final cutdown date in the NFL, teams would release their final round of guys, and the roster was pretty much set. They called it their “final roster.” Now, it is entitled the “initial roster.” Teams had 90 players, and in one swoop had to get down to 53 players.
And because the day after cuts, there are so many athletes now unemployed, club GMs would put in waiver claims for guys who could instantly help with depth. Sign four guys, then drop four guys. Pretty simple.
RELATED:
BROWNS OPTIONS AS KICKER DUSTIN HOPKIN STRUGGLES
When the 2025 version of the Cleveland Browns was unveiled on August 27, would heads roll the next day? They did for every club.
All of them grabbed new guys, then had to figure out who the weak links were on their “initial roster.” And suddenly, guys who were placing a security deposit on an apartment because they made the roster were flying back to their hometown, asking their mom to make her famous potato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches.
The biggest surprise and biggest decision on the Browns’ final cut? Kicker Dustin Hopkins. Depends on who you talk to; this is either a good thing or the worst move Cleveland could have made before the season even began.
Kickers score points. They rescue an offensive unit that bogged down after crossing midfield. They can bring a team from a one-score lead to a two-score advantage in just one swing of the leg. They are needed to perform a variety of skills on kickoffs, which is under the direction of the special teams coordinator. Kickers must nail PATs to keep the scoring succession going by making each touchdown seven points instead of just six.
Hopkins had been in the NFL for 10 years. He appeared in 140 games. He has scored 985 points and had 43,085 kickoff yards. Over the years, Hopkins converted 241 out of 287 field goal attempts and 262 PATs out of 280 tries.
He had a tremendous year in 2023 before he became injured trying to make a tackle. On July 15, 2024, Hopkins signed a three-year contract extension worth $15,900,000.
In comparison, Szmyt has never played in a single NFL contest that counted. In Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals, his kickoff will be his first ever. His field goal attempt will be his maiden kick. His PAT will be made as his primary attempt.
If you are having major surgery, do you want the 10-year surgeon or the guy who is attempting his first operation ever?
Szmyt has talent, and it showed in his college career as well as in the UFL.
He was the Groza Award winner in 2023 and was placed on the Chicago Bears practice squad. After being waived, Szmyt then signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL this past spring, where he was the league’s field goal leader. He went 19-21 in FGs (90.5%).
Was the release of Hopkins warranted? Or was it a huge mistake?
RELATED: BROWNS SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DISCUSSES KICKER
In the above interview, Browns special teams coordinator, Coach Bubba Ventrone, told DBN about the decision to let Hopkins go and to keep Szmyt instead.
All specialists are in an unofficial club. They are like no other jobs in the NFL. And because there are so few, they all root for each other, and never say a harsh word about another kicker, punter, or long snapper. They help the guy who has been signed to the roster to compete against him. They are excited to see the other guy make good kicks.
After Szmyt was announced as the Browns’ starting kicker going forward, he said this about Hopkins:
“It was exciting to get it done. (Hopkins) meant a lot to me. He’s one of the best guys, like, I’ve ever met. We briefly caught each other in the locker room, and we said some nice words to each other. I’m always going to be rooting for him, and I know he’ll be doing the same for me. I have nothing but love for him and respect. I am preparing and staying on my course.”
Here at Dawgs by Nature, we have assembled several Browns experts to give their take on the subject. Let’s debate!
Bearded Browns Podcast
I can’t guarantee Szmyt is going to work out. But my short opinion on Hopkins is you can’t miss kicks, you definitely can’t miss extra points, and you certainly can’t miss them when there is no pressure and in great weather. He missed too many kicks last year, and the Browns stuck by him. They trusted their special teams coach to get him back on track. At this point, after the preseason, he essentially left the Browns with no choice. but to make a move.
Chris Pokorny
DBN Site Manager
The Browns absolutely made the right decision to part ways with Dustin Hopkins. They were more than fair to him through his struggles a year ago and gave him the opportunity to work through his issues for an entire offseason. During the preseason, he had one extra point that I swear was a miss, but the officials said it was good. Later in that game, he missed one. Then, in the final preseason game, he missed another.
Sometimes, kickers just can’t shake that mental block, and that unfortunately appears to be the case with Hopkins. If fans are anticipating a miss with every kick, then you know the players and coaches on the team were thinking the same thing. Andre Szmyt looked more stable in the preseason, and although he doesn’t have a big NFL background to his name, he has a chance to build one now.
Kristy Acuti
Administrator Browns Fans Only (BFO)
I think Andre will be a great addition to the Browns. He was the leading kicker for the UFL and won the Lou Groza award as a freshman. As much as I like Dustin, he hasn’t been hitting the field goals that should be automatic for a kicker of his age. Speaking of kicker his age, that’s another thing, Andre is a few years younger, so I think this will also work to our advantage. Loved having DHop when he was in his prime, but it’s definitely time for him to pass his cleats onto someone else. I do give a Szmyt, and I’m excited to see what kind of Szmyt this guy can pull out for us.
Thomas Moore
DBN Senior Editor
Dustin Hopkins is broken. Anyone who watched him kick in 2024, as his field-goal percentage dropped to a career-low 66.7, could see that. He converted on just 9-of-16 field goals of 40-plus yards, and even his made kicks were an adventure.
The Browns even gave him a week off during the season, and it did not help.
Why is he broken? Who knows! But the Browns, even in a season that may be destined as another one with double-digit losses, can’t wait around any longer to find out if Hopkins can rebound.
The biggest knock against Andre Szmyt is that he has never kicked in a regular-season NFL game.
But as Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski pointed out last week, no one has done anything in the NFL until they actually do it. So, time to find out what he can do.
And if Szmyt doesn’t work out? There are always plenty of kickers just a phone call away.
Keith Allen
All About Sports 216 podcast
They did the right thing in releasing kicker Dustin Hopkins. He became too unreliable on both extra points and field goals, which, with a team whose offense is limited and unpredictable at best. Plus, kickers are a dime a dozen. So, hopefully, Andre Szmyt can effectively be that guy this upcoming season.
Jared Mueller
DBN Producer
Right or wrong, the Browns had to cut Dustin Hopkins at this point. They couldn’t let the team believe that a couple of million against the salary cap would keep a player’s job even if they struggled. Cleveland is already straddling the line between competitiveness this year and building for the future. Keeping Hopkins would be a piece of hurting the confidence of the veterans that this year’s plan is to win.
The big mistake, and it probably was one when they did it, was signing Hopkins to a contract extension that they couldn’t get out of quickly. Kickers are like middle relievers, milk and bread, once they go bad, it happens quickly, and it never turns back. Rare are the kickers who start out good and stay good for a long time, and usually that is clear early in their careers. Hopkins’ breakout year and extension came when he was already in his 30s.
Maybe a new team rule: Let’s not draft a kicker before the 7th round and only give an extension to a proven kicker in his mid-20s.
Noah Olson
At the Office
LINK: AT THE OFFICE – A CLEVELAND SPORTS SHOW
The Browns made the right decision. Unfortunately, Dustin Hopkins got a bad case of the “yips.” It was time to move on despite the monetary hit. Andre Szmyt follows a prototype of a successful kicker, I believe, having success previously in the UFL. Much like Brandon Aubrey, who had an electric year for the Dallas Cowboys, Andre also had an awesome year in the UFL. I’m looking forward to him kicking in front of the Dawg Pound!
Barry Shuck
DBN Staff Writer
The decision to cut bait from Hopkins is split in my mind. Yes, Hopkins was never the same after his injury trying to make that tackle. Maybe he had the yips, but he missed some very important kicks last year, such as 0-2 against the Steelers. He played in 140 games, so there’s that experience. As far as going with the new kid, that is the thing: he is just a kid. He has played in zero NFL games. Yikes.
How do I feel about that? Well, Andrew Berry signed him and brought Andre in to compete with Hopkins, so they liked him right off. Bubba Ventrone coaches the kickers, and he decided to keep the kid over DHop. When I talked with Coach Ventrone last week, he told me why he came to this conclusion. I am not a coach with the Browns, and I have to trust those who are. Coach Ventrone is one of the best in the league at what he does. He made the decision, and I am sticking with the experts.
Damon Wolfe
In Motion
Moving on from Hopkins was the right move. His struggles continued after last season, and for a coaching staff and front office that needs to look competent, they can’t afford to lose games due to a missed kick. Szmyt performed well in camp and the preseason and deserved to win the job, despite the dead cap created over the next two seasons caused by the release of Hopkins.
What say you? Share your kicker thoughts in the comment section below
