Overview

• Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox proposed the Hooper-for-Gross-Matos swap on September 12 as an analytical scenario rather than a reported negotiation.
• The pitch cites New England’s Week 1 defensive issues, including 389 yards allowed to Las Vegas, as a reason to seek help on the edge.
• San Francisco placed George Kittle on injured reserve, creating a short-term tight end opening that Hooper’s $2 million salary and prior experience with Kyle Shanahan could address.
• Yetur Gross-Matos played 17 defensive snaps in the 49ers’ opener and is expected to reach free agency next spring, positioning him as movable depth in the proposal.
• Roster realities temper the concept, as Hooper is New England’s No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry and the Patriots list no third tight end on the depth chart.