A number of teams have been rumored to be in the market to sign star free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. However, one team is now seemingly the frontrunner in the sweepstakes after reports that Hopkins will go on his first free-agency visit.
Most expect that Hopkins will eventually sign with a contending team like the Buffalo Bills or the Kansas City Chiefs. But his first free agency visit came for a team that desperately needs a wide receiver like Hopkins on the roster.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday that Hopkins is set to fly to Nashville later this week for a visit with the Tennessee Titans.
Free-agent WR DeAndre Hopkins is slated to fly to Nashville on Sunday for a visit with the #Titans, per sources.
D-Hop and Mike Vrabel were together in Houston. Now Vrabel’s team gets the first visit with Hopkins, the five-time Pro Bowl pick released by Arizona last month. pic.twitter.com/UUyUjLqa7Z
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 7, 2023
Considering the Titans aren’t exactly seen as contenders in the AFC, it is a somewhat surprising move. However, when you consider some of the personnel the Titans have it makes much more sense.
Hopkins and Titans head coach Mike Vrabel notably spent four seasons together while both were with the Houston Texans. The Titans also desperately need a player like Hopkins on their roster. They have only one wide receiver currently on their roster over the age of 26.
Many around the NFL world offered their opinion of the move.
DeAndre Hopkins "I want a qb that loves the game and wants to win"
Also DeAndre Hopkins: pic.twitter.com/NnXS7vJhdb— Jared ☘️ (@TatumsClutch) June 7, 2023
#Titans will visit with DeAndre Hopkins.
Mike Vrabel was with #Dhop with the #Texans pic.twitter.com/fTYSuFCkCc
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) June 7, 2023
DeAndre Hopkins flirting with the worst uniform career in NFL history. https://t.co/PjZO9z5gfV
— NFL Fashion Advice (@fashion_nfl) June 7, 2023
The #Titans roster decisions as of late are so strange.
They made moves that started to point towards a "rebuild" then also make roster decisions that would contradict that thought process like considering to sign DeAndre Hopkins.
Not saying it's bad just strange. https://t.co/skgTaovskn
— Destin Adams (@TheDestinAdams) June 7, 2023
A sneak peak at DeAndre Hopkins Titans highlights pic.twitter.com/EUlhrxuPKN
— Jeff Pratt (@ByJeffPratt) June 7, 2023
Hopkins made it clear once he was released by the Arizona Cardinals that wants to play for a contender with an elite quarterback. He previously named five quarterbacks that he would most want to play with, and none of them were on the Titans’ roster.
It may still be a long shot for the Titans to ultimately land Hopkins. Pelissero added that there are still other teams in the mix to sign Hopkins despite his visit later this week.
The #Titans aren’t the only team in talks with DeAndre Hopkins. But the first visit shows there is mutual interest with Tennessee. More now on Inside Minicamps Live on NFL+ https://t.co/3Q2KcTzI1V https://t.co/QHOnEGo179
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 7, 2023
