Titans Sign Three-Time All-Pro Receiver DeAndre Hopkins, According to Source

Titans Sign Three-Time All-Pro Receiver DeAndre Hopkins, According to Source

The Tennessee Titans have made a significant addition to their wide receiver corps by signing three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins. According to a trusted source, the Titans and Hopkins have agreed to a two-year contract worth $26 million, with the potential for additional incentives that could raise the value to $32 million. This agreement comes as a major boost to the Titans, who were the first NFL team Hopkins visited after his release from the Arizona Cardinals in May. Hopkins’ arrival in Nashville was well-documented on social media, including his attendance at the final night of CMA Fest held at Nissan Stadium, the Titans’ home field. While Hopkins did visit the New England Patriots later in the week, it was the Titans who successfully secured his services.

The news of Hopkins’ signing was initially reported by AtoZSports, with our source confirming the agreement to The Big Big News on the condition of anonymity due to Hopkins not having officially signed the contract yet.

At the age of 31, Hopkins brings much-needed experience to the Titans’ youthful wide receiving group. Head coach Mike Vrabel, who had a successful NFL career as a linebacker, boasts more career touchdown catches (12) than any current player on the Titans’ roster. Last season, Hopkins would have led the Titans in receptions and receiving yards for the Arizona Cardinals, despite serving a six-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. He also missed the final two games due to a knee injury.

Arizona released the five-time Pro Bowler on May 26 as a salary cap move after failing to find a trade partner during the offseason. The Cardinals acquired Hopkins in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans in 2020 and had signed him to a contract extension worth $54.5 million through 2024. By releasing him, Arizona incurred a dead cap hit of $22.6 million while saving nearly $31 million in cap space.

With 11,298 yards receiving over his 10-year career spanning 145 games, Hopkins ranks 36th in NFL history. Unsurprisingly, he generated significant interest as a free agent, with his former Houston teammate Deshaun Watson publicly advocating for him to join him in Cleveland.

Both Vrabel and the Titans’ new offensive coordinator Tim Kelly worked with Hopkins during their time in Houston. While Vrabel acknowledged being aware of the news, he was occupied playing in a celebrity golf tournament in Nevada with Pat McAfee.

Hopkins took to social media to share a photo of himself with Titans running back Derrick Henry, hinting at their future collaboration on the field.

In Tennessee, Hopkins will join a receivers’ room currently led by Treylon Burks, the 18th overall pick in the 2022 draft. Burks was acquired by the Titans through a trade involving A.J. Brown, who was sent to the Philadelphia Eagles. The general manager responsible for that move was dismissed on December 6. In the recent draft, the Titans used one of their picks to select Colton Dowell in the seventh round as another addition to their receiving corps. Additionally, they signed veteran Chris Moore, whose 548 receiving yards would have led the Titans last season. The returning receivers combined for 69 catches, 962 yards, and four touchdowns.

The Titans also have veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who will turn 35 in July, and three-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry. Both players are entering the final seasons of their current contracts.

It is worth noting that the Titans’ previous attempt to acquire a 31-year-old wide receiver with a decade of NFL experience did not yield the desired results. In June 2021, the team traded for Julio Jones but released him after one season due to a hamstring injury that limited him to just 31 catches for 434 yards and one touchdown.

AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.

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