Reports emerged on Sunday that free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins came to a deal with the Tennessee Titans to become the new premiere receiver in Nashville.
Hopkins is entering his 11th year in the league, spending the first seven in Houston with the Texans, and the last three in Arizona. Hopkins was released by the Cardinals a month ago.
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With interest from top dogs of the AFC such as the Chiefs and the Bills, featuring some of the top quarterbacks in the league, why did Hopkins ultimately land with the Titans? A team who finished 29th in total yards per game and a receiving core that finished 29th in receiving yards per game?
- Money certainly played a major factor. The Titans offered Hopkins a 2-year $13 million per year base salary, loaded with up to $3 million worth of player incentives per year. It is uncertain what other teams were offering, but it wouldn’t be too far off to think that this was the heaviest balance of guaranteed money to incentive money that he was offered.
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- Hopkins has connections to the Titans coaching staff. He spent the beginning of his career developing a relationship with Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabal, who served as a defensive assistant from 2014-2017. Additionally, Titans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly served as an offensive assistant in Houston for 8 seasons. So, making the move to Tennessee ties Hopkins to former coaches.
- Having a solid run game always opens up opportunities for receivers when it comes to offensive success, and Tennessee might have the biggest attention grabber in the league lined up in the backfield. Derrick Henry was the recipient of Offensive Player of the Year after the conclusion of the 2020 season, after rushing for over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. After an injury-plagued 2021 season, Henry returned with over 1,500 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Long story short, having a presence like Henry in the backfield makes life easier for QB Ryan Tannehill and DeAndre Hopkins.
Brandon and I continue this discussion on In The Zone today at 3 p.m. on 96.9 The Game and the iHeartMedia app.
With interest from top dogs of the AFC such as the Chiefs and the Bills, featuring some of the top quarterbacks in the league, why did Hopkins ultimately land with the Titans? A team who finished 29th in total yards per game and a receiving core that finished 29th in receiving yards per game?
1) Money certainly played a major factor. The Titans offered Hopkins a 2-year $13 million per year base salary, loaded with up to $3 million worth of player incentives per year. It is uncertain what other teams were offering, but it wouldn’t be too far off to think that this was the heaviest balance of guaranteed money to incentive money that he was offered.
2) Hopkins has connections to the Titans coaching staff. He spent the beginning of his career developing a relationship with Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel, who served as a defensive assistant from 2014-2017. Additionally, Titans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly served as an offensive assistant in Houston for 8 seasons. So, making the move to Tennessee ties Hopkins to former coaches.
3) Having a solid run game always opens up opportunities for receivers when it comes to offensive success, and Tennessee might have the biggest attention grabber in the league lined up in the backfield. Derrick Henry was the recipient of Offensive Player of the Year after the conclusion of the 2020 season, after rushing for over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. After an injury-plagued 2021 season, Henry returned with over 1,500 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Long story short, having a presence like Henry in the backfield makes life easier for QB Ryan Tannehill and DeAndre Hopkins.
Brandon and I continue this discussion on In The Zone today at 3 p.m. on 96.9 The Game and the iHeartMedia app.