Tennessee Titans Expected to Sign DeAndre Hopkins in 2-Year, $15 Million Deal
By Turron Davenport, ESPN – Published on Jul 16, 2023, 02:09 PM ET – 2 Minute Read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans are set to bolster their roster by signing free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to a lucrative two-year contract worth up to $15 million, according to sources familiar with the matter. ESPN’s Dianna Russini broke the news.

The deal, which is expected to be finalized in the coming days, will see Hopkins earn a base salary of $12 million in the first year, with the potential to reach $15 million through performance-based incentives, as disclosed by the sources.

With a decade of NFL experience under his belt, the 31-year-old Hopkins will bring a much-needed veteran presence to the Titans’ young wide receiver corps. He is slated to become the team’s primary outside receiver, lined up opposite second-year wideout Treylon Burks.

Earlier last month, Hopkins visited Tennessee for discussions before eventually meeting with the New England Patriots the following week. The Titans coaching staff already has a history with Hopkins. Mike Vrabel, the Titans’ head coach, previously worked with Hopkins during his time with the Houston Texans, serving as both the linebackers coach and the defensive coordinator. During those years, Hopkins earned two out of his five career Pro Bowl selections. Additionally, Titans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly called plays for the Houston Texans in 2019 when Hopkins racked up an impressive stat line of 104 receptions for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns.

Hopkins was released by the Arizona Cardinals on May 26, sparking uncertainty about his future. His departure from Arizona was partly due to the team’s need to address salary cap limitations, as his $30.75 million cap hit ranked highest among wide receivers in the NFL and seventh overall.

The Titans’ wide receiver group struggled last season, with only two players managing to record 100-yard receiving games. Remarkably, Hopkins achieved that same feat despite missing the first six games of the season due to a suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing-drugs policy. In just nine games, he notched 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns.

The addition of Hopkins is expected to significantly bolster the Titans’ offense and provide a much-needed boost to their passing game. His experience, proven production, and ability to elevate the play of those around him make him a valuable asset for the team’s aspirations in the upcoming season.

As the Titans finalize the deal to bring Hopkins on board, fans eagerly await the impact that this star wide receiver will have on the team’s pursuit of success in the NFL.