Dawgs By Nature
It used to be that on the final cutdown date in the NFL, teams would release their final round of guys, and the roster was pretty much set. They called it their “final roster.” Now, it is entitled the “initial roster.” Teams had 90 players, and in one swoop had to get down to 53 players.
And because the day after cuts, there are so many athletes now unemployed, club GMs would put in waiver claims for guys who could instantly help with depth. Sign four guys, then drop four guys. Pretty simple.
RELATED: BROWNS OPTIONS AS KICKER DUSTIN HOPKIN STRUGGLES
When the 2025 version of the Cleveland Browns was unveiled on August 27, would heads roll the next day? They did for every club.
All of them grabbed new guys, then had to figure out who the weak links were on their “initial roster.” And suddenly, guys who were placing a security deposit on an apartment because they made the roster were flying back to their hometown, asking their mom to make her famous potato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches.
The biggest surprise and biggest decision on the Browns’ final cut? Kicker Dustin Hopkins. Depends on who you talk to; this is either a good thing or the worst move Cleveland could have made before the season even began.
Kickers score points. They rescue an offensive unit that bogged down after crossing midfield. They can bring a team from a one-score lead to a two-score advantage in just one swing of the leg. They are needed to perform a variety of skills on kickoffs, which is under the direction of the special teams coordinator. Kickers must nail PATs to keep the scoring succession going by making each touchdown seven points instead of just six.
Hopkins had been in the NFL for 10 years. He appeared in 140 games. He has scored 985 points and had 43,085 kickoff yards. Over the years, Hopkins converted 241 out of 287 field goal attempts and 262 PATs out of 280 tries.
He had a tremendous year in 2023 before he became injured trying to make a tackle. On July 15, 2024, Hopkins signed a three-year contract extension worth $15,900,000.
In comparison, Szmyt has never played in a single NFL contest that counted. In Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals, his kickoff will be his first ever. His field goal attempt will be his maiden kick. His PAT will be made as his primary attempt.
If you are having major surgery, do you want the 10-year surgeon or the guy who is attempting his first operation ever?
Szmyt has talent, and it showed in his college career as well as in the UFL.
He was the Groza Award winner in 2023 and was placed on the Chicago Bears practice squad. After being waived, Szmyt then signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL this past spring, where he was the league’s field goal leader. He went 19-21 in FGs (90.5%).
Was the release...
