The Chicago Bears were expected to be in play for Atlanta Falcons free-agent tight end Austin Hooper, but less than one hour into the NFL's legal tampering period, the Hooper sweepstakes are over.
Hooper is headed to the Cleveland Browns after agreeing to a contract that will make him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.
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For Bears fans holding out any hope that Hooper could still be a Bear, ESPN's Adam Schefter suggested Hooper to the Browns isn't a slam-dunk just yet.
The Bears will turn their attention to the next tier of free-agent tight ends, including Eric Ebron, assuming it's a position they're prioritizing in free agency. The 2020 NFL draft will offer potential upgrades in the second round, too.
For now, it appears the Hooper hype is over.