The idea of the Cleveland Browns sweeping the Pittsburgh Steelers may have excited fans in Northeast Ohio, but it was always an unlikely scenario.
The Steelers defeated the Browns 27-14, at one point leading 27-7 before cruising to victory.
Cleveland’s offense struggled yet again, a recurring issue this season. Now sitting at 3-10, the Browns’ disappointing season continues to worsen.
One glaring problem in this game was the Browns’ kicking unit. Dustin Hopkins missed two critical field goals—a 38-yarder before halftime and a 43-yarder afterward. These misses, from distances expected of an NFL kicker, were demoralizing for an already sputtering offense.
Time for the Browns to Move On from Dustin Hopkins
Cleveland’s decision to extend Hopkins’ contract after his stellar 33-of-36 performance last season now looks like a costly mistake. While some regression was expected, Hopkins’ struggles have been significant.
He has converted just 16-of-25 field goals this season, a steep drop from his 2022 form, where he made all eight attempts from 50+ yards. This year, he’s just 4-of-8 from that range and has missed two extra points as well.
With the Browns’ season already lost, they might keep Hopkins through the remainder of the year, but his performance has undeniably dragged the team down further.
Despite a strong 2022 campaign, Hopkins’ current struggles make it clear Cleveland needs to move on. After investing over $5 million annually in him, the Browns must accept their mistake and part ways with a kicker who no longer delivers.
