Rumors swirl after DeAndre Hopkins visit to the Tennessee Titans

Free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins visited the Titans earlier this week. After his visit, rumors of a contract from the team began to surface, according to NFL insider Dov Kleiman.

The news of Hopkins’ offer from Tennessee comes just as The Athletic reported that the New England Patriots are the most likely landing spot for the former five-time Pro Bowler.

Still, ESPN’s Dianna Russini tweeted that Hopkins’ meetings with the team “apparently went well but no deal was struck today, per sources. Hopkins is expected to take more visits with teams, that could of course always change.”

Tennessee Titans reporter Buck Reising cast doubt on the report Hopkins was offered a contract, also.

Giving Hopkins a breath of fresh air for the 2023 season might be what the star wideout needs after not appearing in his usual elite form this past season in Arizona. Thanks to injuries and suspension, he was able to suit up for just nine games for the Cardinals this past season, hauling in 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns. During his first season with the Cardinals in 2020, Hopkins recorded 115 catches with 1,407 and six scores. 

Prior to his arrival in Arizona, Hopkins spent seven seasons with the Houston Texans and had five 1,000-yard seasons while a part of the organization — and there’s no reason to believe he can’t surpass that mark again in 2023 under the right system. 

As of this report, New England is the only other team to this point that got a visit from Hopkins so far. Other teams connected to the three-time All-Pro wide receiver are Kansas City, Buffalo, Dallas, and Cleveland, amongst others.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero during his appearance on The Rich Eisen Show earlier this week, the NFL insider believes that the Patriots and Titans are the leading contenders for the former Cardinals and Texans star.

“I think that DeAndre Hopkins is most likely going to land with one of the teams we think it’s going to be,” Pelissero said of where he believes Hopkins will land. “I think that Hop, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that it could be done by the end of this week. Whether it’s in New England or whether it’s Tennessee. He makes a lot of sense for both of those teams. 

“You know, Bill Belichick likes him a lot. We’ve heard him say that in the past, how highly he regards Hopkins’ game. Then Tennessee, obviously he’s got the relationship with Mike Vrabel as well.”