Does DeAndre Hopkins Improve the Titans’ Super Bowl Odds?

The talented wide receiver was released by the Arizona Cardinals in May. He spent three seasons in Arizona from 2020 through 2022 but injuries and a suspension cut into his playing time. After meeting with both the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots, it’s reported that he has chosen the former. The deal is for two years and $26 million.

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WR DeAndre Hopkins Signs with the Titans

The 2022 season in Arizona was a mess, to put it mildly. After walking backwards into a Wild Card spot in 2021, the team fell off a cliff and went 4-13 in 2022. Injuries didn’t help, but there was no question that a new direction was needed, which meant severing ties with some good players like Hopkins.

The wide receiver’s glory years were with the Houston Texans from 2013 to 2019. He caught for over 1,000 yards five times during that chapter of his career and over 10 touchdowns three times.

This is a good coup for Tennessee, even if Hopkins hasn’t played as much in the last two seasons. Their WR corps was among the least productive in the NFL in 2022. Barring another injury which limits his playing time, it gives Ryan Tannehill a strong target to throw to, something he had before the franchise decided to let AJ Brown walk out the door and head to Philadelphia after the 2021 campaign.

It also balances an offence which can sometimes rely too much on running back Derrick Henry. His 2022 numbers were very good (1,538 yards, 13 TDs), but with DeAndre Hopkins running routes and catching passes, maybe the offence can resemble its former, more productive and even keel self.

It’s being said that the contract is for a duration of two seasons at $26 million, with incentives that could help the receiver reach up to $32 million.