The Tennessee Titans will host veteran wideout DeAndre Hopkins for a visit next week as they consider adding a proven offensive weapon ahead of the 2023 NFL season. This will be Hopkins’ first free agent visit with a team since he was released by the Arizona Cardinals in May.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed the news in a chat with reporters on Wednesday.
“We want people that want to be here,” Vrabel said when asked about Hopkins. “Then, if that works out, then you go on to the next step.”
There is a familiarity between Vrabel and Hopkins that might work in the Titans’ favor. Vrabel was on Houston Texans’ coaching staff during the time when Hopkins emerged as one of the franchise’s star players.
Tennessee will likely face some hurdles in their attempts to sign Hopkins. The five-time Pro Bowler is reportedly asking for a significant deal, in the range of $15 million plus incentives that Odell Beckham Jr. received from the Baltimore Ravens earlier in the offseason, while the Titans currently only have around $8 million in cap space to work with.
Also, there are more than a few teams that also would like to see Hopkins in their uniform. This includes the reigning Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs, the New York Jets, and the New England Patriots.
DeAndre Hopkins played nine games last season but still managed to get 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns. He also did it despite the fact that the Cardinals played the back end of the season with a backup quarterback after starter Kyler Murray suffered an ACL injury.
