Source – Titans expected to sign WR DeAndre Hopkins
Turron Davenport, ESPNJul 16, 2023, 2:09 p.m. ET
CloseTurron Davenport covers the Tennessee Titans for ESPN. Turron is a former college football player at Cheyney University and a Philadelphia native, and he has authored/co-authored four books. You can watch Turron on ESPN Radio on his show “Talking with TD” and you can follow him on Twitter: @TDavenport_NFL.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.- The Tennessee Titans are expected to sign wide receiver free agent DeAndre Hopkins to a two-year contract that could be worth up to $15 million in the first year, sources have told ESPN’s Dianna Russini.
The deal, which is expected to close in the next few days, will give Hopkins a base salary of $12 million in the first year and could be up to $15 million with incentives, sources told Russini.
Hopkins, 31, brings 10 years of NFL experience with him to Nashville. He instantly became the most veteran receiver in the Titans’ inexperienced wide room. Hopkins will play outside receiver opposite second-year wide Treylon Burks.
The Titans hosted Hopkins on a visit last month before he meets the New England Patriots the following week. Hopkins had prior experience with various Titans staff coaches.
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Hopkins shared a photo of himself with Titans running back Derrick Henry on social media Sunday. Hopkins followed up Sunday night on social media defending his choice of Tennessee as a free agent.
“I’ve always loved having haters and doubters but now I appreciate it even more. Titan up!!” wrote Hopkins.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel was the quarterback coach and then defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans when Hopkins was selected to two of his five career Pro Bowls. Hopkins posted 104 receptions for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019 when current Titans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly called a game for the Texans.
The Cardinals released Hopkins on May 26. His future at Arizona has been in question since the end of the 2022 season due to his team’s $30.75 million haul, which ranks the highest among wide receivers in the NFL and seventh highest overall.
The Titans’ wide receiver group had a total of two 100-yard receiving games last season. Hopkins matched that total despite missing the first six games of the season serving a suspension for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. He finished the season with 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
