Former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has found a new home.
According to the NFL Network, Hopkins plans to sign a two-year, $26 million deal with the Tennessee Titans that could be worth up to $32 million with incentives.
Hopkins began his career with the Houston Texans and was traded back in March of 2020 to the Arizona Cardinals along with a fourth-round draft pick for running back David Johnson and multiple draft selections. He spent three years with the Cardinals, catching 221 passes for nearly 2,700 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Suspensions and injuries hampered his time with the team, but his track record as one of the most successful active receivers made him an enticing option for teams across the league. Tennessee was the first team the 31-year-old receiver visited following his release from Arizona. He also met with the New England Patriots but ultimately decided Tennessee was where he belonged.
Tennessee’s passing game has been an Achilles’ heel as it has failed to take pressure off its running game. The Titans finished in the league’s bottom half in passing offense every year since 2012. Such struggles caused fans around the league to question Hopkins’ decision.
Hopkins responded on Twitter on Monday, writing, “I always loved having haters and doubters but I appreciate it even more now. Titan up!!”
Tennessee has been searching for a No.1 receiver since trading A.J. Brown to Philadelphia during the 2022 NFL Draft and even tried using several veteran options like Julio Jones as the No.2 when he was on the team. Still, none have been able to provide the spark needed to elevate the Titans’ passing game and lighten the load for running back Derrick Henry, who has carried the team’s offense since he entered the league in 2016.
Hopkins can help provide that top threat as he joins a thin position group that lacks NFL experience. He can also serve as a mentor for 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks.
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Extra Points
— Monday was the deadline for teams to agree to terms on long-term contracts for players entering the 2023 season on the franchise tag, and no deals were made. That group included Cowboys running back Tony Pollard, one of three notable running backs playing under the franchise tag this season.
— Coming off a league-high 15 interceptions thrown last season, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott vowed to throw less than 10 this season.
— The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed tight end Evan Engram to a three-year contract extension. Engram signed as a free agent with Jacksonville before the 2022 season and caught 73 passes for 766 yards and four touchdowns.
— Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill claimed he will become the first NFL player to break the 2,000-yards receiving mark this season. The current NFL record for receiving yards in a single season is 1,964 — set by Detroit’s Calvin Johnson in 2012.
— Running back Joe Mixon agreed to remain with the Cincinnati Bengals for a seventh season.
— Ex-Washington Commanders Vice President Jason Friedman is suing the team for defamation.
— Rookies from nine NFL teams reported to training camp on Tuesday.
