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With his departure from the Patriots after the 2025 season appearing increasingly , the 2× Pro Bowl star delivered a locker-room–shaking message to head coach Mike Vrabel: “Give me one more chance"

Foxborough, Massachusetts – As his future in New England grows more uncertain, Austin Hooper knows he is standing at the most pivotal crossroads of his career. A reduced role, dwindling snap counts, and a contract set to expire after the 2025 season have made a separation from the Patriots feel almost unavoidable. But as all signs pointed toward a quiet exit, the two-time Pro Bowl tight end chose a different path: speaking up — not to complain, but to fight.

Austin Hooper 8/23: "We're definitely focused on our opponent"

Hooper arrived in New England as a seasoned veteran, expected to provide stability behind Hunter Henry. In reality, he never fell short in professionalism or effort, but the Patriots’ offense evolved faster than anticipated. As New England accelerated its push toward a new identity, players unable to make an immediate impact were pushed aside. And Hooper — despite continuing to embrace the unglamorous work — slowly drifted toward the margins.

According to internal sources, however, Hooper never gave in. He remains one of the most diligent workers on the roster, frequently staying after practice long past the required time. In a recent, candid exchange, Hooper delivered a direct message to head coach Mike Vrabel. “I don’t need special treatment. I just need one more opportunity,” Hooper said. “Give me one more chance, and I’ll prove I’m worthy of this jersey.”

That message was more than a plea — it was a reminder of what once made Hooper a Pro Bowl player: resilience, discipline, and a team-first mentality. Under Vrabel, the Patriots value players who refuse to fold when adversity hits. One assistant coach noted that Vrabel “always listens to players willing to fight for their role, not demand it.”

Austin Hooper may not be part of the Patriots’ long-term future. But right now, his story is no longer about statistics or contracts — it’s about pride. In a locker room focused on something bigger, his words struck an emotional chord across New England. And sometimes, in the NFL, everything can change with one final opportunity given at the right moment.

 
 

Just Three Hours After Being Released by the Packers, 2× Pro Bowl Star Deletes Every Post About Green Bay After His Attempt to Take a Pay Cut to Stay Was Rejected — His Vow Never to Return Leaves Packers Nation in Sympathy .
Green Bay, Wisconsin – The offseason took an emotional turn for the Green Bay Packers when the organization decided to release veteran offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins as part of a salary-cap adjustment. But what happened just hours later turned the situation into one of the most emotional storylines of the week across the NFL. According to multiple reports, Jenkins — a two-time Pro Bowl selection and former All-Pro honoree — had attempted to negotiate with the team and even offered to take a pay cut in order to remain with the franchise that originally drafted him. The effort ultimately fell short as Green Bay chose to move forward with a roster reset, clearing nearly $20 million in cap space for the 2026 season. Just three hours after the release became official, fans began noticing something unusual on Jenkins’ social media accounts. Every post connected to his years in Green Bay — from locker room celebrations to photos wearing the iconic green-and-gold uniform — had quietly disappeared. Jenkins had been one of the pillars of the Packers’ offensive line since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Throughout multiple seasons, he built a reputation for rare versatility, capable of playing guard, tackle, and center at an elite level, and was widely regarded as one of the most reliable and flexible offensive linemen in the league. At his peak, Jenkins was often described as Green Bay’s “secret weapon” on the offensive front. He protected multiple quarterbacks over the years and helped anchor an offense that consistently remained competitive during several playoff runs. His ability to seamlessly shift across nearly every position along the offensive line made him one of the most trusted players inside the Packers’ locker room. At first, the decision to erase those memories surprised many fans. But once reports surfaced that Jenkins had been willing to sacrifice financially just to remain with the team, the reaction across Packers Nation quickly shifted from shock to empathy. Green Bay will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s where my journey truly began. But sometimes you fight to stay somewhere and still realize that chapter has ended, and when that moment comes, the only thing you can do is walk away with respect for every memory that was built there. While Jenkins did not criticize the organization, sources close to the situation say the emotional weight of the release influenced his decision to remove the posts. What surprised many even more was the report that Jenkins has told people close to him that he does not plan to return to Green Bay at any point in his career, choosing instead to start an entirely new chapter elsewhere in the NFL. Yet instead of anger, the reaction from Packers fans has largely been one of understanding. For many supporters, Jenkins’ willingness to take a pay cut simply reinforced what they had long believed. He wasn’t just protecting the quarterback on Sundays.He was trying to protect a home he once hoped would last his entire career.