York, 23, was re-signed by them on Saturday to a futures contract, which, based on years of service, is worth the veteran minimum. Since York is a second-year professional, the value is $940,000. If the Browns choose to keep him on the roster, the contract guarantees him a spot for the upcoming campaign.
Depending on the outcome, he may also return to the practice squad.
Additionally, the Browns own kicker Dustin Hopkins, who was acquired in August of last year via a deal with the Chargers for a seventh-round pick in 2025. Hopkins is now obligated to pay $2.875 million plus a $3.54 million cap charge in 2024.
York is so brilliant that the Browns regretted parting ways with him last summer, but they also understood they couldn’t rely on him in a season with such high stakes.
The 33-year-old Hopkins outperformed the Browns’ expectations by making 33 of 36 field goals, including four game-winning ones. His eight kicks of 50 yards or more set a club record, and his 31 field goals were the most by a Brown in a season. Along with setting an NFL record, he also went 8 for 8 from beyond the arc after going just 15 for 30 in his prior nine seasons. He also made at least one field goal of 50 or more in five consecutive games.
York intended to rejoin the practice squad after being cut by the Browns, but three days later he signed a contract with the Titans practice squad instead. On November 3, the Giants signed him off the Titans practice squad. Two days later, on November 22, he was waived and re-signed to the practice squad. He was placed on injured reserve on December 23 following a quad injury he sustained during practice. Following the season, he became a free agent.
York made 24 of 32 attempts (75%), and 35 of 37 extra points, in his rookie season with the Browns.
The 58-yard game-winning kick he made against the Panthers with eight seconds remaining to give the Browns a 26-24 victory was his greatest kick of the season.
The final straw for York came in the preseason finale vs the Chiefs, when he had 54 seconds left to win the game but his 43-yard attempt to win the game was blocked. The team lost 33–32. Because the kick was low and easy for defensive tackle Phil Hoskins to get a touch on, it was blocked.
York missed the game-winning field goal for the second straight week, which suggests he may not be prepared for the crucial stretch of three AFC North games in the first four weeks. As it happened, he only completed 24 out of 32 attempts, or 75%, last season.
Additionally, on August 17, at the conclusion of the third preseason game against the Eagles, he failed to convert two game-winning opportunities.
York tried to force a 47-yard field goal wide right just after the two-minute warning, but the Eagles were called for illegal formation, and York was awarded a mulligan. The 41-yarder went wide left as he overcorrected.
Officially, York scored 8 of 8 extra points and only 4 of 8 field goals throughout the preseason. His standing was further clouded by the one field goal and one extra point he missed that were negated by penalties.
After that Chiefs game, Stefanski remarked, “You’re right—we’ve seen it in practice—Cade is very talented.” “Yes, I have occasionally witnessed that in games.He wants to perform well for the group. As a young player, I know he’s dissatisfied with that preseason, but he’ll keep working. Actually, that’s what it is.
