Explaining why Patriots players should enjoy working with new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is easy for Austin Hooper.
Hooper spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons with Van Pelt in Cleveland and can still attest to the following: Van Pelt is consistent, likable, intelligent and fun. And that’s about all you need to know.
“Good energy in the building. That’s a huge part of it,” Hooper told reporters Thursday via video conference. “Most people just think of the three hours you see on Sunday, but there’s many more hours throughout the week where you’re spending a lot of time together. And it makes work so much better when you enjoy the people you work with. It makes sense, right?”
Hooper, 29, is set to play for his fifth team this upcoming season in New England, and indicated Van Pelt has distinguished himself from other coordinators over the years.
“His style, his approach, his offense, his understanding of his personnel, and who he is as a man and coach, it’s going to make it really fun to be in the building every day,” Hooper said.
The Patriots signed the veteran tight end to a 1-year contract last week. Hooper is expected to serve as their No. 2 at the position, behind returned starter and captain Hunter Henry. Hooper said he was familiar with Henry, having both been drafted in 2016.
He originally entered the league with the Falcons, spending four years with the Falcons, including a couple Pro Bowl campaigns. Hooper then left for a big free-agent deal in Cleveland, where he met Van Pelt and began to play more in-line as opposed to split out wide. That forced Hooper to adapt his game to a more physical style.
As for what he expects in New England, Hooper, who is now on his fourth team in as many years, declined to speak on anything specific about Van Pelt’s offense. However, he suggested Van Pelt will be willing to adapt to the team’s personnel based on experience coaching several different offenses around several different types of players.
“Just a guy who’s played a lot, been through a lot, coached a lot, and has seen the game from every angle,” Hooper said of Van Pelt.
Earlier this offseason, Van Pelt said he would adopt most of the Browns offense, having served as their offensive coordinator from 2020-23. During his tenure, Cleveland ranked among the league leaders in snaps played with multiple tight ends, a likely reason Hooper has reunited with his old coach in Foxboro.
