Browns Kicker Dustin Hopkins Makes NFL History

After being acquired for a seventh-round pick in August, Hopkins pulled off a feat in his first five games with the Browns that kicking legend Phil Dawson never could

Given Andrew Berry's penchant for being patient with players he drafted, it's easy to imagine how difficult it was for the Browns organization to move on from second-year kicker Cade York at the conclusion of the preseason.

The move, however, has paid off in spades for the franchise. 

In his first five games in a Browns uniform, Hopkins has already set a NFL and team record. After nailing three field goals of 50-plus yards in Cleveland's win over the Colts, Hopkins became the first kicker in NFL history to hit field goals field goals from that length in five consecutive games.

After making two 54-yard field goals during Cleveland’s win over Indianapolis today, Browns’ K Dustin Hopkins is now the first NFL kicker ever to convert a 50+-yard field goal in five consecutive games during a single season.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2023

The 33-year-old's streak also topped Phil Dawson's initial mark of three straight games with a 50-plus yard field goal, a feat that the Browns legend accomplished twice during his career. 

On the day, Hopkins went a perfect four-for-four on his field goal attempts to help lift the Browns to victory. One of the three long-range boots came from 58 yards, which is also a career high for the reigning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. The other kicks came from 54 yards (twice) and 44 yards. 

Acquiring Hopkins prior to the season has quickly turned into a home run of a move for Cleveland. In the deal, Berry sent a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Chargers for the Florida State product's services. Berry has established a pretty respectable reputation for his ability to win trades, but the deal will easily go down as some of his finest work.

After making history, there is likely another AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Hopkins future.