The Patriots and free-agent tight end Austin Hooper have agreed to a 1-year deal worth up to $4.25 million, a source confirmed to the Herald.

Hooper is expected to serve as the team’s No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry. He spent last season as the starter in Las Vegas, catching 25 passes for 234 yards, after a 444-yard season in 2022 as a backup with the Titans.

Hooper previously overlapped with new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt for two years in Cleveland from 2020-21. He caught a combined 84 passes for 780 yards and seven touchdowns with the Browns, who signed him as a free agent after two Pro Bowl campaigns in Atlanta. In 2019, he set career highs with the Falcons with 75 catches for 787 yards and six touchdowns.

Hooper originally entered the league as a third-round pick out of Stanford in 2016. His arrival fills another need for the Patriots, who entered last week with only La’Michael Pettway under contract at tight end. The team is still expected to pursue wide receivers, offensive tackles and defensive players in free agency.

NFL Network first reported Hooper’s deal.