Tennessee Titans sign free agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins
DeAndre Hopkins still believes he still has plenty of football talent, and the Tennessee Titans agree. The Titans will acquire the All-Pro wide receiver, making Hopkins the first major free agent signing this offseason.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the Titans will offer Hopkins a two-year, $32 million contract with incentives. In 2023, Hopkins will receive a base salary of $12 million and $3 million in incentives.
Hopkins was a standout wide receiver out of Clemson and the Houston Texans selected him with the late first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Hopkins, 31, earned All-Pro honors five times as a member of the Texans. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl five times.
During the 2017 season, Hopkins led the NFL with 13 touchdown catches in 15 games. With the Texans, he scored 11-plus touchdowns in three different seasons.
In 10 seasons in the NFL, Hopkins had 71 touchdowns and 853 catches.
The New England Patriots became the favorite to acquire Hopkins in free agency after inviting him to visit. The Patriots hired Bill O'Brien as their new offensive coordinator, and he had a previous relationship with Hopkins. O'Brien is the former head coach of the Texans, and Hopkins' best offensive seasons came under O'Brien.
The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs were also interested in Hopkins, but the Titans outbid everyone, including the Patriots.
Cardinals waived Hopkins in May
Hopkins played seven seasons with the Texans before the Texans abruptly traded him away in 2020. The Arizona Cardinals acquired Hopkins in one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history. The Texans sent Hopkins and a fourth-round pick to the Cardinals in exchange for running back David Johnson, a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick. Houston fans believe their beloved Texans were robbed by the Cardinals. Johnson scored just four touchdowns in 25 games with the Texans and started just 16 games during his two years in Houston.
Hopkins didn't have much success with the Cardinals, playing in just 35 games in three seasons. He missed seven games in 2021 with a torn ACL. He was suspended for six games for doping and missed the start of the 2022 season.
In 35 games with the Cardinals, Hopkins caught 221 passes for 2,696 yards and 17 touchdowns. He averaged 12.2 yards per catch with the Cardinals and 13.6 yards per catch with the Texans.
In nine games last season, Hopkins caught 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns. The Cardinals went 4-13 in 2022, losing their final seven games of the season.
Hopkins has been the subject of trade rumors since the end of the season, but the Cardinals cut him in May for financial reasons. If the Cardinals retain Hopkins, they will face a salary cap hit of $30.75 million. The Cardinals missed an opportunity to preserve draft capital or other players by cutting Hopkins instead of trading him.
Titans make big upgrade with Hopkins
The Titans were one of the worst passing teams in the NFL last season. They rank 29th out of 32 teams, averaging just 171.4 receiving yards per game.
Last season, the Titans only had two situations where a wide receiver had more than 100 yards receiving in a game. Hopkins accomplished the feat in just nine games last season with the Cardinals.
Despite numerous trade rumors that the Titans will cut star running back Derrick Henry, they still have him on their roster. All signs point to the Titans retaining Henry for now.
With Hopkins, the Titans have two of the most formidable offensive weapons in the NFL. Henry can chop you on the ground, Hopkins can hit you in the air. Hopkins recently shared a photo of him and Henry on his Instagram account.
"I've always loved having haters and doubters, but now I appreciate it even more. Titans rise!!" Hopkins added on his Twitter.
The Titans were 7-10 last season but finished second in the AFC South. Oddsmakers have the Titans winning total next season at 7.5 wins/losses.
According to DraftKings playoff betting, the Titans have a +250 chance of making the playoffs. The odds of missing the playoffs are -300.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the betting favorite to win the AFC South at -155, ahead of the Titans (+350), Indianapolis Colts (+600) and Texas Team (+800).
The Titans, the third-worst team in the future board, have a +5500 chance to win the AFC Championship.
The Titans' odds to win Super Bowl XVIII are +8000, but they're nowhere near that goal. The Cardinals are at the bottom of the futures slate, with odds of winning the Super Bowl at +20,000.
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