It’s a done deal. The Tennessee Titans have secured the services of veteran wide receiver Deandre Hopkins, after what looked like a healthy relationship was starting to form between him and the New England Patriots. Hopkins is receiving a 2-year, $26M deal that maxes out to $32M with incentives added. According to Ian Rapoport, Hopkins’ base salary in his first year is $12M with a chance to make an additional $3M in incentives.
So, what happened with Hopkins and the Patriots? Things seemed to have been going well, but no contract materialized. Jeremy Fowler shares details on the subject:
Patriots stayed in consistent contact with DeAndre Hopkins’ camp through free agency process, but their base financial package wasn’t in the same ballpark as what Titans offered. The good vibes between N.E. and Hopkins from his team visit never translated to a workable deal.
Hopkins not only bolsters an otherwise lackluster receiver group, and gives young receiver Treylon Burks someone to learn from, but also joins star running back Derrick Henry as a dangerous RB/WR duo. Vrabel and Hopkins reconnect in the AFC South for the first time since their days in Houston together.
Yahoo Sports sheds some clarity on that old Texans relationships:
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel was previously the Houston Texans’ linebackers coach and later the defensive coordinator while Hopkins played for Houston. Hopkins was voted to two of his five career Pro Bowls during that time. Current Titans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly also called plays for the Texans in 2019 as Hopkins recorded 104 receptions for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns.
It’ll be a 2019 rematch between Hopkins and New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, as Titans open up their season week 1 on the road against a Saints defense looking to prove they’re still a top tier unit. Hopkins’ first game of the season last year was also against the Saints, when he previously was with the Arizona Cardinals. Unfortunately, Lattimore was out with a lacerated kidney and lined up against Chris Harris Jr. and rookie CB Alontae Taylor.
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
Patriots stayed in consistent contact with DeAndre Hopkins’ camp through free agency process, but their base financial package wasn’t in the same ballpark as what Titans offered. The good vibes between N.E. and Hopkins from his team visit never translated to a workable deal
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 16, 2023
