_(1).jpg/250px-NFL2021_-_Washington_Football_Team_at_Buffalo_Bills_111_(51529127647)_(1).jpg){kind=small}
_(1).jpg/1501px-NFL2021_-_Washington_Football_Team_at_Buffalo_Bills_111_(51529127647)_(1).jpg)
Community hub
Recent from talks
Contribute something
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Dustin Hopkins
View on Wikipedia
Dustin Cole Hopkins[1] (born October 1, 1990) is an American professional football placekicker. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft.
Key Information
_(1).jpg)
College career
[edit]Hopkins was recruited by Florida State when then Seminoles special teams coordinator Jody Allen watched high school game film of Hopkins's kickoffs. Interest was also shown by Notre Dame.[2] As a freshman in 2009, Hopkins hit 19 of 27 field goals, or approximately 70%, over the course of 2009. On November 13, 2010, against Clemson, Florida State, who was trailing the entire game, made a comeback in the 4th quarter. With less than a minute left in regulation, tied at 13, Florida State marched down into Clemson territory, where, with 3 seconds left, Hopkins made a 55-yard field goal to win the game.
In 2011, while playing against Wake Forest, Hopkins kicked his 109th point after touchdown (PAT) in a row, breaking the previous FSU record. He would not miss a PAT until September 8, 2012, leaving him at 145 successful attempts, the sixth longest streak in NCAA history.[3] On November 18, 2012, Hopkins set the Football Bowl Subdivision record for career points scored by a kicker at 442 points with a 26-yard field goal in the second quarter versus the Maryland Terrapins. Hopkins would finish the day with six more points upping the record to 448 points.[4] His record for most career field goals was later broken in 2016 by Arizona State University kicker Zane Gonzalez.[5]
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
193 lb (88 kg) |
31+3⁄4 in (0.81 m) |
8+7⁄8 in (0.23 m) |
4.74 s | 1.67 s | 2.79 s | 33.5 in (0.85 m) |
9 ft 8 in (2.95 m) | ||||
| All values from NFL Combine[6][7] | ||||||||||||
Buffalo Bills
[edit]Hopkins was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round with the 177th overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, joining punter Shawn Powell and quarterback EJ Manuel, his former teammates at Florida State.[8]
On May 10, 2013, Hopkins signed a four-year contract with the Bills.[9]
On August 19, 2013, Hopkins was named the starting placekicker over veteran Rian Lindell.[10] On September 2, 2013, Hopkins was revealed to have sustained a groin injury. This prompted the Bills to sign Dan Carpenter. Due to a slow recovery from that injury and the need to further open roster spots, Hopkins was placed on injured reserve following Week 5.[11]
Hopkins was given a chance to earn back his roster spot during the 2014 season, but lost the kicking competition to Carpenter; the Bills released Hopkins on August 25, 2014.[12]
New Orleans Saints
[edit]Hopkins was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad on December 17, 2014.[13] He was then signed to a future/reserve contract at the end of the 2014 season and competed for placekicking duties with Shayne Graham.[14]
On September 5, 2015, the Saints announced they had released Hopkins after losing the competition to Zach Hocker.[15]
Washington Redskins / Football Team
[edit]2015 season
[edit]
Hopkins was signed by the Washington Redskins on September 14, 2015, after they had released Kai Forbath.[16] On November 15, 2015, Hopkins kicked a career-high four field goals against the New Orleans Saints.[17]
2016 season
[edit]On October 30, 2016, Hopkins missed a potential game winner in the late stages of overtime which would eventually end in a 27–27 tie against the Cincinnati Bengals.[18] During the 2016 season, Hopkins set a franchise record with 34 field goals made.[19]
2017 season
[edit]On October 15, 2017, Hopkins suffered a partially torn hip muscle during a game against the San Francisco 49ers, and was placed on injured reserve days later.[20] He was activated back to the 53-man roster on December 16, 2017.[21]
2018 season
[edit]_(cropped).jpg)
On March 12, 2018, Hopkins signed a three-year contract extension with the Redskins.[22] On October 14, 2018, Hopkins kicked a career-long 56-yard field goal against the Carolina Panthers.[23] In the 2018 season, Hopkins converted 25 of 26 extra point attempts and 26 of 29 field goal attempts.[24]
2019 season
[edit]In the 2019 season, Hopkins converted 21 of 22 extra point attempts and 25 of 30 field goal attempts.[25]
2020 season
[edit]In Week 6 of the 2020 season, Hopkins missed a 47-yard field goal attempt against the New York Giants.[26] The Giants would win the game with the final score being 20-19 with Head Coach Ron Rivera choosing a two-point attempt instead of sending Hopkins to attempt the extra point and potentially bringing the game to overtime. The next week, Hopkins would miss a 44-yard field goal in the win over the Dallas Cowboys.[27] In the Week 10 loss to the Detroit Lions, Hopkins missed another field goal attempt at 43 yards with the final score of the game at 27–30.[28] After the game when asked if he was considering bringing in another kicker, Head Coach Ron Rivera stated “Well, it is something that we are talking about and discussing.”[29]
In Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hopkins was a perfect 3 for 3 on his field goal attempts and 2 for 2 on his extra point attempts during the 23–17 win. This was the Steelers’ first loss of the season. Hopkins was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Week 13.[30] He finished the 2020 season converting 30 of 32 extra point attempts and 27 of 34 field goal attempts.[31] He re-signed with the team in March 2021.[32]
2021 season
[edit]On September 16, 2021, against the New York Giants, Hopkins kicked a game-winning field goal at the climax of the game as Washington won 30–29. At first, Hopkins missed, but the Giants defense committed an offside penalty, giving him a second chance, which succeeded.[33]
In Week 3 of the 2021 season against the Buffalo Bills, Hopkins recovered his own kickoff after the Bills failed to receive the kick, resulting in his first career fumble recovery.[34] Hopkins was released by the team on October 20, 2021.[35]
Los Angeles Chargers
[edit]On October 26, 2021, Hopkins signed with the Los Angeles Chargers.[36] In the 2021 season, with two teams, he converted 40 of 44 extra point attempts and 30 of 34 field goal attempts.[37]
On March 14, 2022, Hopkins signed a three-year contract extension with the Chargers.[38]
In Week 6 of the 2022 season against the Denver Broncos, Hopkins injured his hamstring but still went 4-4 on field goals, including the game-winner in overtime.[39] For this performance, Hopkins was named the American Football Conference (AFC) Special Teams Player of the Week.[40] He missed the next four games with the injury before being placed on injured reserve on November 22, 2022.[41] In his five appearances, he converted all 12 extra points and nine of ten field goal attempts.[42]
Cleveland Browns
[edit]On August 28, 2023, the Chargers traded Hopkins to the Cleveland Browns for a 2025 seventh-round pick after he lost his starting job to Cameron Dicker. Hopkins took over for the Browns 124th pick in 2022, Cade York, who was waived following preseason struggles.[43][44] Hopkins was named AFC Special Teams Player of the week on October 18, 2023, for kicking four field goals and an extra point in the Week 6 defeat of the 49ers.[45] On October 25, Hopkins was again named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second consecutive week after his performance in the team's win against the Indianapolis Colts. Hopkins was 4/4 on field goal attempts and 3/3 on extra point attempts. 3/4 of Hopkins's field goals were from 53+ with one being a new career long of 58 yards.[46] Hopkins set a new Browns single season record of 31 made field goals after kicking a 55-yard field goal against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 10, 2023. In that same game, Hopkins also set a new NFL record for five consecutive games with a field goal of 50 yards or more.[47]
On December 24, 2023, Hopkins injured his hamstring while attempting to tackle Dameon Pierce on a 98-yard kick return during the Browns’ 36–22 win over the Houston Texans. He would not return to the game and former Lions placekicker Riley Patterson would be signed to the Browns’ practice squad the following day.[48] He finished the 2023 season converting 24 of 26 extra point attempts and 33 of 36 field goal attempts.[49]
On July 15, 2024, Hopkins signed a three-year contract extension with the Browns.[50] He finished the 2024 season converting 17 of 20 extra point attempts and 18 of 27 field goal attempts.[51]
On August 26, 2025, Hopkins was released by the Browns as part of final roster cuts.[52]
Personal life
[edit].jpg)
Hopkins is a Christian.[53] He is married to Gabrielle Hopkins. They have two sons together, Wake and Wiley. He went to Space Center Intermediate School and Clear Lake High School in Clear lake. [54]
NFL career statistics
[edit]| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | Field goals | Extra points | Points | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FGA | FGM | Lng | Pct | XPA | XPM | Pct | ||||
| 2013 | BUF | 0 | Did not play due to injury | |||||||
| 2015 | WAS | 15 | 28 | 25 | 54 | 89.3 | 40 | 39 | 97.5 | 114 |
| 2016 | WAS | 16 | 42 | 34 | 53 | 81.0 | 39 | 36 | 92.3 | 138 |
| 2017 | WAS | 8 | 17 | 14 | 49 | 82.4 | 19 | 18 | 94.7 | 60 |
| 2018 | WAS | 16 | 29 | 26 | 56 | 89.7 | 26 | 25 | 96.2 | 103 |
| 2019 | WAS | 16 | 30 | 25 | 53 | 83.3 | 22 | 21 | 95.5 | 96 |
| 2020 | WAS | 16 | 34 | 27 | 51 | 79.4 | 32 | 30 | 93.8 | 111 |
| 2021 | WAS | 6 | 14 | 12 | 50 | 85.7 | 12 | 10 | 83.3 | 46 |
| LAC | 11 | 20 | 18 | 50 | 90.0 | 32 | 30 | 93.8 | 84 | |
| 2022 | LAC | 5 | 10 | 9 | 43 | 90.0 | 12 | 12 | 100.0 | 39 |
| 2023 | CLE | 15 | 36 | 33 | 58 | 91.7 | 26 | 24 | 92.3 | 123 |
| 2024 | CLE | 16 | 27 | 18 | 56 | 66.6 | 20 | 17 | 85.0 | 71 |
| Career | 140 | 287 | 241 | 58 | 83.9 | 280 | 262 | 93.5 | 985 | |
Postseason
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | Field goals | Extra points | Points | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FGA | FGM | Lng | Pct | XPA | XPM | Pct | |||||||||
| 2015 | WAS | 1 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 100.0 | 2 | 1 | 50.0 | 4 | |||||
| 2020 | WAS | 1 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 100.0 | 2 | 2 | 100.0 | 5 | |||||
| 2022 | LAC | 0 | 0 | Did not play due to injury | |||||||||||
| 2023 | CLE | 0 | 0 | Did not play due to injury | |||||||||||
| Career | 2 | 2 | 2 | 36 | 100.0 | 4 | 3 | 75.0 | 9 | ||||||
References
[edit]- ^ "Dustin Hopkins". www.nolefan.org. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
- ^ Florida State kicker Dustin Hopkins draws praise, but accuracy is off. The Miami Herald website, posted on February 10, 2009. Accessed on October 10, 2009.
- ^ "Florida State Team Notes". Usatoday.com. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "No. 10 Florida State beats Maryland 41-14 - Yahoo Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. November 17, 2012. Archived from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ Bonagura, Kyle (October 9, 2016). "ASU K Gonzalez sets new NCAA field goal mark". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ "Dustin Hopkins Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
- ^ "Dustin Hopkins, Florida State, K, 2013 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". DraftScout.com. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ "2013 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
- ^ "Bills sign Marquise Goodwin, Dustin Hopkins, two other draft picks". NBC Sports. May 10, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ Brown, Chris. "Dustin Hopkins excited about job, grateful to Lindell". Buffalo Bills. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ Galliford, Brian (October 7, 2013). "K Hopkins placed on IR". Buffalo Rumblings. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ Brown, Chris (August 25, 2014). "Bills reduce roster to required 75". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 30, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ Woodbery, Evan (December 18, 2014). "New Orleans Saints add kicker Dustin Hopkins to practice squad". NOLA.com. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ Terrell, Katherine (September 5, 2015). "New Orleans Saints roster tracker: Live updates as the Saints reduce their roster to 53 players". NOLA.com. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
- ^ Triplett, Mike (September 5, 2015). "New Orleans Saints cut 22 players, including Stanley Jean-Baptiste". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- ^ Jones, Mike (September 14, 2015). "Redskins cut Kai Forbath, sign former Saints place kicker Dustin Hopkins". Washington Post. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
- ^ "Saints vs. Redskins - Box Score - November 15, 2015 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Burke, Chris (October 30, 2016). "Redskins are the latest team fit to be tied after Jay Gruden plays it too safe". SI.com. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
- ^ "Washington Redskins Single-Season Kicking & Punting Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- ^ Bergman, Jeremy (October 17, 2017). "Redskins sign kicker Nick Rose to replace Hopkins". NFL.com. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
- ^ Czarda, Stephen (December 16, 2017). "Redskins Activate Kicker Dustin Hopkins". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017.
- ^ Czarda, Stephen (March 12, 2018). "Redskins Re-Sign Kicker Dustin Hopkins". Redskins.com. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- ^ "Redskins vs. Panthers - Box Score - October 14, 2018 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ "Dustin Hopkins 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
- ^ "Dustin Hopkins 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- ^ Boykin, Nick (October 18, 2020). "Gutsy 2-point conversion attempt, turnovers on offense lead to Washington's loss against Giants". WUSA9.com. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ Homler, Ryan (October 26, 2020). "Should Washington consider making a change at kicker?". NBCSports.com. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ Crabtree, Curtis (November 18, 2020). "Washington sticking with Dustin Hopkins as placekicker". NBCSports.com. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ Cadeaux, Ethan (November 17, 2020). "Report: Washington to stick with kicker Dustin Hopkins". NBCSports.com. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ "Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, Bills QB Josh Allen lead Players of the Week". NFL.com. December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
- ^ "Dustin Hopkins 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ "Washington Re-Signs K Dustin Hopkins". WashingtonFootball.com. March 17, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- ^ "Dustin Hopkins 43-yard field goal lifts WFT to 30-29 victory over Giants". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ Camenker, Jacob (September 26, 2021). "Dustin Hopkins recovers his own kickoff as wind wreaks havoc in Bills vs. Washington game". Sporting News. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ "Washington releases K Dustin Hopkins, signs K Chris Blewitt from practice squad". WashingtonFootball.com. October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ Reedy, Joe (October 26, 2021). "Chargers sign K Dustin Hopkins, waive Tristan Vizcaino". AP News. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ "Dustin Hopkins 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ Simmons, Myles (March 14, 2022). "Chargers extend Dustin Hopkins on three-year deal". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ Thiry, Lindsey (October 17, 2022). "Chargers' Dustin Hopkins kicks OT field goal winner on injured hamstring". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ Alper, Josh (October 19, 2022). "Dustin Hopkins is the AFC special teams player of the week". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Cameron Dicker to Active Roster; Place Dustin Hopkins on Injured Reserve". Chargers.com. November 22, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ "Dustin Hopkins 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ "Browns agree to trade with Chargers to acquire K Dustin Hopkins, make other roster moves". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 28, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ "Chargers Agree to Trade Dustin Hopkins to Browns". Chargers.com. August 28, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ Kinnan, Cory (October 18, 2023). "Browns: K Dustin Hopkins wins AFC Special Teams Player of the Week". USA Today. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ Russo, Kelsey (October 25, 2023). "DE Myles Garrett and K Dustin Hopkins earn league awards". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Louallen, Doc (December 10, 2023). "K Dustin Hopkins sets new Browns record for made field goals in a season". Cleveland Browns. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ^ "Browns sign K Riley Patterson to the practice squad". Cleveland Browns. December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ^ "Dustin Hopkins 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
- ^ Cabot, Mary Kay (July 15, 2024). "Browns, Dustin Hopkins agree on 3-year contract extension through 2027, making him the NFL's 5th-highest-paid kicker". Cleveland.com.
- ^ "Dustin Hopkins 2024 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
- ^ Russo, Kelsey. "Browns announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2025 season". clevelandbrowns.com. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ^ Doering, Joshua (October 18, 2022). "Chargers K Dustin Hopkins hits game-winning FG with injured leg, thanks 'Lord & Savior'". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
- ^ "Dustin Hopkins And His Wife Welcome A Baby Boy". Commanders.com. March 16, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
External links
[edit]
- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports
- Florida State Seminoles bio
Dustin Hopkins
View on GrokipediaEarly years
High school career
Dustin Hopkins was born on October 1, 1990, in Austin, Texas, to parents Jim and Karen Hopkins, and grew up in the Houston area after his family relocated.[1][12][13] He began specialized kicking training in junior high through Kohl's Professional Camps, gaining early exposure to competitive football techniques.[14] Hopkins attended Clear Lake High School in Houston, Texas, where he competed as a kicker and punter on the Falcons' football team over four years as a letterman.[15] During his high school tenure, he also contributed on defense, starting in the secondary and recording tackles in games.[15] His kicking prowess was highlighted by a career-long field goal of 49 yards, along with consistent extra-point conversions that showcased his accuracy under pressure.[12] Hopkins earned two-time first-team All-State honors in Texas Class 5A, recognizing his dominance as a specialist.[16] As a senior, he was selected as a USA Today first-team All-American and participated in the Under Armour All-America Game, solidifying his status as the consensus top-rated kicker prospect in the nation.[15] These achievements drew widespread recruiting interest, culminating in his commitment to Florida State University over scholarship offers from Notre Dame, Missouri, and Kansas State.[15]College career
Dustin Hopkins enrolled at Florida State University in 2009 after a standout high school career at Clear Lake High School in Houston, Texas, where he quickly assumed the role of starting kicker on the Seminoles' special teams unit. Over four seasons (2009–2012), he amassed 466 points, setting the NCAA record for career scoring by a kicker at the time. Hopkins also established NCAA, ACC, and Florida State records with 88 career field goals made, demonstrating consistent accuracy and range throughout his collegiate tenure. In his freshman year of 2009, Hopkins appeared in all 13 games, converting 19 of 27 field goal attempts (70.4%) and 40 of 44 extra points (90.9%) for 97 total points, ranking sixth in the ACC in scoring. As a sophomore in 2010, he played in 14 games and improved to 22 of 28 field goals (78.6%) with a perfect 53 of 53 extra points, totaling 119 points and leading the ACC in scoring. His performance that season included a game-winning 55-yard field goal as time expired against Clemson, securing a 16–13 victory. Hopkins continued his strong play as a junior in 2011, making 22 of 27 field goals (81.5%) and all 44 extra points in 13 games for 110 points, which ranked second in the ACC; he earned first-team All-ACC honors for his efforts. In his senior season of 2012, he reached new heights in 14 games, successfully kicking 25 of 30 field goals (83.3%)—including a career-long 56-yard attempt against Duke—and 65 of 66 extra points (98.5%), amassing 140 points to again lead the ACC in scoring while earning first-team All-ACC and first-team All-American recognition from multiple outlets. Following his college career, Hopkins participated in the 2013 NFL Draft Combine, where he showcased his athleticism with a 4.74-second 40-yard dash time.Professional career
Buffalo Bills
Dustin Hopkins was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round (177th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Florida State University.[1] Following the draft, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $2,280,400, including a signing bonus of $45,000. Entering training camp as a rookie, Hopkins competed for the kicking duties and impressed enough to secure the role over incumbent Rian Lindell, who was released on August 20, 2013.[17] In the preseason, he appeared in all four games, converting all six of his field goal attempts (including 23- and 39-yarders) and all five extra points for a perfect 100% success rate.[18] However, Hopkins sustained a right groin injury during the final week of preseason, sidelining him for the regular season; the Bills placed him on injured reserve on October 7, 2013, with veteran Dan Carpenter assuming kicking responsibilities.[19] Hopkins returned for the 2014 training camp but faced stiff competition from Dan Carpenter, who had performed reliably the previous year (31-of-39 field goals in 2013).[20] Unable to reclaim the starting position, he was released by the Bills on August 25, 2014, as part of initial roster reductions to 75 players, marking the end of his brief tenure with the team without any regular-season appearances.[21]New Orleans Saints
After being waived by the Buffalo Bills in August 2014, Dustin Hopkins signed with the New Orleans Saints' practice squad on December 17, 2014.[22] During his time on the practice squad, Hopkins contributed to the team's special teams unit through daily practices, helping develop kicking strategies and providing depth behind starter Shayne Graham, though he did not appear in any regular season games.[4] His prior groin injury from his rookie season with the Bills had limited his availability earlier in his career, influencing his transition as a free agent.[1] On December 29, 2014, the Saints signed Hopkins to a reserve/future contract, securing him a spot on the 90-man roster for the 2015 offseason and training camp.[23] In camp, he competed for the kicking position against incumbents and rookies but ultimately lost out to undrafted free agent Zach Hocker. Hopkins remained focused on special teams drills, aiding in punt and kickoff coverage preparations without seeing game action.[24] The Saints waived Hopkins on September 5, 2015, as they trimmed their roster to the 53-man limit, ending his brief tenure with the team.[25] Throughout his stint, Hopkins' role emphasized practice squad support and developmental contributions to the Saints' special teams, marking a transitional phase in his early professional career without notable on-field statistics.[1]Washington Redskins / Football Team
Dustin Hopkins signed with the Washington Redskins on September 14, 2015, to a one-year contract after the team released kicker Kai Forbath following Week 1 of the season.[26] In his debut season, Hopkins appeared in 15 games, converting 25 of 28 field goal attempts (89.3 percent) and 39 of 40 extra points, contributing 114 points to the team.[1] Hopkins experienced a breakout year in 2016, setting a franchise single-season record with 34 field goals made out of 42 attempts (81.0 percent), which earned him recognition as a key contributor to the Redskins' 8-7-1 record.[27][1] During Week 3 against the New York Giants, he made a career-high five field goals, including a 37-yard game-winner with 1:51 remaining to secure a 29-27 victory. For that performance, Hopkins was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[28] On March 12, 2018, Hopkins agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $7.45 million with the Redskins, solidifying his role as the team's primary kicker through the 2020 season.[29] His performance remained consistent in subsequent years: in 2017, he made 14 of 17 field goals (82.4 percent) across eight games before a season-ending hip injury; in 2018, 26 of 29 (89.7 percent) in 16 games; and in 2019, 25 of 30 (83.3 percent) in 16 games.[1] The team transitioned to the Washington Football Team name in 2020, under which Hopkins converted 27 of 34 field goals (79.4 percent) and helped the squad clinch the NFC East title with a 7-9 record, marking their first division championship since 2015.[1] In the wild-card playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he successfully made his only field goal attempt from 36 yards.[30] Hopkins began the 2021 season strongly, making 12 of 14 field goals (85.7 percent) in six games, but struggled with longer attempts, prompting the Football Team to release him on October 20, 2021, amid efforts to address kicking inconsistencies.[31][1] Over his tenure from 2015 to 2021, spanning 93 games under both the Redskins and Football Team names, Hopkins established himself as one of the NFL's more reliable kickers, amassing 163 field goals and ranking first in franchise history for field goal percentage among those with at least 50 attempts.[1][27]Los Angeles Chargers
Dustin Hopkins signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on October 26, 2021, after being released by the Washington Football Team earlier that month, joining the team as a veteran kicker to replace the struggling Tristan Vizcaino.[32] In his first season with the Chargers, Hopkins appeared in 11 games and converted 18 of 20 field goal attempts (90.0 percent), providing stability to the special teams unit during a late-season push that included a playoff berth.[1] Hopkins' consistent performance earned him a three-year contract extension worth $9 million on March 14, 2022, including $3.52 million guaranteed at signing.[29][33] The 2022 season began promisingly for Hopkins, who played in five games and made 9 of 10 field goals (90.0 percent) before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 6 that sidelined him for the remainder of the year.[34][35] In that standout Week 6 performance against the Denver Broncos on October 17, Hopkins converted all four field goal attempts, including a 45-yard kick and a 39-yard game-winner in overtime despite the injury, earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.[36][37] Prior to the 2023 season, the Chargers traded Hopkins to the Cleveland Browns on August 28, 2023, in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick, allowing the team to promote undrafted rookie Cameron Dicker to the full-time kicker role.[38][39]Cleveland Browns
On August 28, 2023, the Cleveland Browns acquired Dustin Hopkins from the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick, immediately installing him as the team's starting kicker after releasing incumbent Cade York.[38] Hopkins delivered a breakout 2023 season, converting 33 of 36 field goal attempts for a 91.7% success rate and establishing a Browns franchise record for most field goals made in a single season.[40] His long-range kicking was exceptional, with 8-for-8 accuracy on 50-plus yard attempts, including an NFL-record streak of five consecutive games featuring at least one such make; this included two 54-yard field goals and a career-long 58-yarder during a 39-38 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on October 22.[5] Another highlight was his 40-yard game-winning field goal as time expired in a 33-31 comeback win against the Baltimore Ravens on November 12, capping a 14-point fourth-quarter rally.[41] After his record year, Hopkins secured his future with the Browns by signing a three-year, $15.9 million contract extension on July 15, 2024, which positioned him among the NFL's top-paid kickers.[42] However, his performance declined sharply in 2024, where he succeeded on just 18 of 27 field goal tries (66.7%) and 17 of 20 extra points, prompting the team to bench him late in the season in favor of Riley Patterson.[6] The Browns released Hopkins on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts ahead of the regular season, absorbing $1.2 million in guaranteed salary from his extension while retaining $4.9 million in dead cap space; as of November 2025, he had not signed with another team as a free agent.[2]Personal life
Family
Dustin Hopkins married Gabrielle Hopkins (née Renee) on July 4, 2014, after meeting her during their time as students at Florida State University, where she served as a cheerleader.[43][44] The couple welcomed their first son, Wake Steele Hopkins, on March 14, 2017.[45] Their second son, Wiley Crew Hopkins, was born on February 13, 2024.[43] Gabrielle has been a steadfast supporter throughout Hopkins' career transitions, often relocating with the family to new cities, such as joining him in Cleveland upon his signing with the Browns in 2023.[46] To accommodate their eldest son's needs related to autism spectrum disorder, the family maintains a home base in Nashville, Tennessee, allowing Gabrielle and the children to provide stability amid professional moves. Dustin and his wife Gabby started The Well Foundation, which serves individuals with special needs and their families by removing financial barriers to therapies and resources.[47] In public interviews, Hopkins has shared insights into fatherhood, describing the fulfillment of having his sons cheer him on during games and the challenges of balancing NFL demands with family time, such as coordinating schedules around his absences for away games.[47] The couple frequently highlights these family moments through Gabrielle's work as a lifestyle photographer, capturing everyday joys like birthdays and outings.[43] Their Christian faith subtly influences their approach to family life, emphasizing resilience and mutual support.[47]Religious beliefs
Dustin Hopkins identifies as a devout Christian, having committed his life to Christ at age nine during a Christmas Eve church service, where he prayed, “Lord, I’m not good enough. Jesus, come into my life. Be my Lord and Savior.”[48] Born in Austin, Texas, and raised in Houston, Texas, by faithful parents who regularly brought him to church, Hopkins credits his early exposure to Christianity for shaping his spiritual foundation, though he initially viewed Jesus through a superficial lens as a "sandal-wearing, longhaired hippy" who favored good kids like himself.[48][1] His family has remained a supportive unit in his faith journey, reinforcing biblical teachings amid life's challenges.[49] In public interviews, Hopkins has shared testimonies about how his faith sustained him through injuries and career setbacks, including a severe groin injury during his 2012 college season at Florida State that sidelined him for the year and raised fears of a career-ending issue.[48] He has described relying on God's providence during three NFL releases—by the Washington Football Team in 2021, among others—as moments that deepened his trust in divine plans beyond football success.[49] On the Sports Spectrum Podcast in July 2022, Hopkins emphasized praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and viewing career uncertainties as opportunities for God to reveal Himself more fully.[50] Hopkins has been actively involved in faith-based activities, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) during his time at Florida State University, where he participated in campus Bible studies and community service initiatives aimed at youth outreach.[51] He continues to engage with FCA by sharing his testimony in their video series, promoting spiritual growth among athletes and young people through missions-focused events.[48] On social media, Hopkins frequently expresses his faith, with his Instagram bio quoting Ephesians 2:4-10 on God's mercy and including earlier references to Romans 12:2 on spiritual transformation.[50] Post-game, he has shared Bible verses and pointed skyward after successful kicks, notably thanking "my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" in a televised interview after a game-winning field goal for the Los Angeles Chargers in October 2022, despite playing through a leg injury.[50]NFL career statistics
Regular season
Dustin Hopkins has appeared in 140 regular-season games over his NFL career, primarily as a placekicker, with his performance tracked through field goal attempts across various distances, extra-point conversions, and total points scored.[1] The following table summarizes his year-by-year regular-season kicking statistics:| Year | Team | G | GS | FGM/FGA | 0-19 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50+ | XPM/XPA | Pts | Lng |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | WAS | 15 | 0 | 25/28 | 0/0 | 7/7 | 9/9 | 7/8 | 2/4 | 39/40 | 114 | 54 |
| 2016 | WAS | 16 | 0 | 34/42 | 0/0 | 12/12 | 12/14 | 7/9 | 3/7 | 36/39 | 138 | 53 |
| 2017 | WAS | 8 | 0 | 14/17 | 1/1 | 7/7 | 2/2 | 4/5 | 0/2 | 18/19 | 60 | 49 |
| 2018 | WAS | 16 | 0 | 26/29 | 0/0 | 5/5 | 7/7 | 10/12 | 4/5 | 25/26 | 103 | 56 |
| 2019 | WAS | 16 | 0 | 25/30 | 0/0 | 7/8 | 8/9 | 8/10 | 2/3 | 21/22 | 96 | 53 |
| 2020 | WAS | 16 | 0 | 27/34 | 0/0 | 5/5 | 7/8 | 13/17 | 2/4 | 30/32 | 111 | 51 |
| 2021 | WAS/LAC | 17 | 0 | 30/34 | 1/1 | 8/8 | 6/6 | 13/14 | 2/5 | 40/44 | 130 | 50 |
| 2022 | LAC | 5 | 0 | 9/10 | 0/0 | 2/2 | 6/6 | 1/2 | 0/0 | 12/12 | 39 | 43 |
| 2023 | CLE | 15 | 0 | 33/36 | 0/0 | 8/8 | 7/7 | 10/13 | 8/8 | 24/26 | 123 | 58 |
| 2024 | CLE | 16 | 0 | 18/27 | 0/0 | 3/4 | 6/7 | 5/8 | 4/8 | 17/20 | 71 | 56 |
Postseason
Dustin Hopkins has had limited opportunities in the NFL postseason, appearing in just two games during his career, both NFC Wild Card contests with the Washington Redskins/Football Team.[52] These appearances highlight the rarity of playoff exposure for kickers on teams that often failed to advance beyond the opening round, contrasting with his more extensive regular-season role where he maintained strong accuracy rates above 80%.[1] In the 2015 season's NFC Wild Card playoff game on January 10, 2016, against the Green Bay Packers, Hopkins contributed to Washington's early lead with a 25-yard field goal in the first quarter.[53] He also converted one extra point following a third-quarter touchdown, but missed another after a second-quarter score, finishing 1-for-2 on extra points.[53] The missed extra point kept the score at 12-7 rather than 13-7 at halftime, though Washington ultimately lost 35-18.[53] This performance yielded 4 points for Hopkins in a game where special teams played a supporting role in the Redskins' defensive effort.[53] Hopkins' second postseason outing came in the 2020 NFC Wild Card game on January 9, 2021, versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[54] He was perfect on kicking duties, making a 36-yard field goal in the second quarter and both extra-point attempts after Washington's two touchdowns.[54] These efforts accounted for all 5 of the Football Team's scoring in the first half, helping secure a temporary 23-14 lead before a 31-23 defeat.[54] The reliable output underscored his consistency under pressure, though the team's season ended there.[54] Over his two playoff games, Hopkins has demonstrated reliability on field goals but mixed results on extra points, totaling 9 points scored.[52] His career postseason field goal percentage stands at 100%, a mark shared by several elite kickers with minimal exposure.[55]| Year | Team | Game | FG Made/Att | Long FG | XP Made/Att | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | WAS | NFC Wild Card vs. GNB (L 18-35) | 1/1 | 25 | 1/2 | 4 |
| 2020 | WAS | NFC Wild Card vs. TAM (L 23-31) | 1/1 | 36 | 2/2 | 5 |
| Career | - | 2 Games | 2/2 | 36 | 3/4 | 9 |