Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Anthony Firkser

Sunday, January 5, 10:23 PM

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper caught four of his six targets for 27 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Buffalo Bills. The veteran tight end handled an increased workload in the regular-season finale, playing 67.2 percent of the Patriots' offensive snaps with Hunter Henry (foot) sidelined. The 30-year-old finished as a low-end TE2 in fantasy football this season with 45 catches, 476 yards, and three touchdowns. Hooper was a pleasant surprise during his first year in New England, maintaining a significant role on offense despite being listed second on the depth chart behind Henry. He's slated to hit free agency in March but could be a priority re-signing for the Patriots' next coaching regime.

Wednesday, February 12, 10:22 PM

The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed tight end Anthony Firkser to a Reserve/Futures deal on Wednesday. Firkser began the 2024 season with the New York Jets before finding his way to the Chiefs and ending the year on their practice squad. The 29-year-old tight end was active for seven total games with the Jets and Chiefs last season but was not targeted at all on offense. He will now stick with Kansas City and train with the team this offseason before trying to grab a 53-man roster spot this summer in training camp as depth at the position. The Harvard alumni debuted in the NFL in 2018 with the Tennessee Titans and spent his first four years in the league in Tennessee before bouncing around with the Falcons, Lions, Jets and Chiefs. Firkser has caught 115 passes for 1,207 yards and five touchdowns on 153 targets in his seven years in the NFL.