Hours ahead of the start of NFL free agency, the Patriots have re-signed veteran tight end Austin Hooper, a source confirmed to the Herald. Hooper was scheduled to hit the open market before he agreed to return on a reported 1-year,

Hooper has a one-year deal in place, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The pact has a base value of $5MM and can top out at $7MM. He will continue to operate in a tandem with Hunter Henry after doing so in 2024. Hooper will see $4MM guaranteed, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets.

The 28-year-old Landry played at Boston College and spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Titans, his first six under Mike Vrabel.