Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, one of the biggest names left in free agency, is expected to become the newest member of the Tennessee Titans.
NFL reporter Doug Kyed broke the news Sunday afternoon.
“Free-agent WR DeAndre Hopkins is expected to sign with the Titans, per source. Deal is expected to become official over the next few days,” Kyed wrote on Twitter.
Free-agent WR DeAndre Hopkins is expected to sign with the Titans, per source. Deal is expected to become official over the next few days.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) July 16, 2023
Hopkins took his first free-agent visit with the Titans after the Cardinals released him earlier in the off-season. Hopkins also visited with the New England Patriots and was linked to the Cleveland Browns due to his past connections with their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson.
The 31-year-old Hopkins looks set to join a wide receiver stable that includes Treylon Burks, Nick-Westbrook-Ikhiine, Kyle Philips, Chris Moore, Jacob Copeland, Clton Dowell, Tre’Shaun Harrison, Gavin Holmes, Kearis Jackson, Mason Kinsey and Reggie Roberson, according to Kyed.
Hopkins entered the NFL in 2013 when the Houston Texans selected him with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft out of Clemson. The Texans traded him to the Cardinals in 2020. Hopkins is a three-time Pro Bowler.
The Titans are set to begin training camp on July 25.
The NFL news was quick to react to the surprising signing:
The #Titans are giving star WR DeAndre Hopkins a 2-year, $26M deal worth up to $32M with incentives, source said.
He gets a base of $12M in Year 1 with a chance to get to $15M. https://t.co/4Vsy2sF1zG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 16, 2023
#Titans Mike Vrabel and Ran Carthon said after their nearly WR-less draft that there would be option out there this summer that they had their eye on.
Flash forward to late July, and they make good on their statement by landing the biggest WR fish of the offseason. https://t.co/jlYHcEy8H2
— Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze) July 16, 2023
DeAndre Hopkins chooses the Titans over the Patriots. That’s too bad, but I know people inside Gillette Stadium feel good about their offensive unit and personnel. The belief is they’ll be improved
Patriots will see Hopkins this summer when they have joint practices with Titans https://t.co/GMO2ygogce
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) July 16, 2023
D Henry
D Hopkins, T Burks
C Okonkwo
That’s a big, physical group of skill players. https://t.co/OOevpr67lK
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) July 16, 2023
Hopkins following in the footsteps of Julio Jones, Randy Moss, Eric Moulds and Andre Johnson. Perhaps things will be different this time in terms of a veteran finding success in Tennessee. https://t.co/vGQyGbcuIv
— Ryan Talbot (@RyanTalbotBills) July 16, 2023
[Doug Kyed on Twitter]
