Washington Redskins re-sign kicker Dustin Hopkins ahead of free agency

The Washington Redskins did something today.

It wasn’t the move we were all itching to hear about, but it was an important one, nonetheless. Per NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Washington Redskins have re-signed their 27-year old kicker, Dustin Hopkins.

The terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, but regardless of the dollar signs, a deal was inevitable, and necessary. Dustin Hopkins has provided a bit of stability to a team that, in an era not so far gone, saw more than one starting kicker per season for over a decade.

Over his time in Washington, Hopkins has been proficient, making 73 of 87 field goals, as well as 93 of 98 extra points. In 2016, he made 34 of 42 field goals. In 2017, he made 14 of 17 before he was lost to an injury that kept him out for most of the year, relinquishing the starting role to Nick Rose for a period of time.

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From 20 to 29 yards out, Hopkins hasn’t yet missed for the Washington Redskins, but ahead of 40 yards out, his inconsistencies have sparked calls for change among fans. It wasn’t uncommon to see fans calling for the Washington Redskins to keep Nick Rose, who made 10 of 11 field goals with the Washington Redskins.

But when Hopkins was ready to return in mid-December, the Redskins opted to cut Rose, who would be signed by the Los Angeles Chargers, converting just one of his remaining three field goals on the year.

With Hopkins locked down, the Washington Redskins can theoretically focus on other positions as free agency grows near. The team still has a number of players left to re-sign, or at least offer, and they’ve already begun free agency festivities, scheduling meetings with defensive linemen Muhammad Wilkerson and Benson Mayowa.

Next: Ten players for the Redskins to watch in free agency

The needs on the defensive line may seem to outweigh the need of a kicker who is far from perfect, but nevertheless, with Dustin Hopkins, the Washington Redskins don’t have to worry about a relatively underrated position for the foreseeable future. The Hopkins signing is just one of many to come. Stay with us here at Riggo’s Rag, as we’ll keep you in the loop with all the latest updates on free agency.