DeAndre Hopkins pursuit by Titans sends strong message
NASHVILLE — Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins remains in no rush to sign with an NFL team before training camps open later this month. That has not stopped the Tennessee Titans from their continued pursuit of him. If anything, that chase is intensifying. ESPN New England Patriots reporter Mike Reiss, citing sources, said that both the […]
NASHVILLE — Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins remains in no rush to sign with an NFL team before training camps open later this month. That has not stopped the Tennessee Titans from their continued pursuit of him.
If anything, that chase is intensifying.
ESPN New England Patriots reporter Mike Reiss, citing sources, said that both the Tennessee Titans and New England have made offers to Hopkins. Reiss added that the Titans "have been more aggressive to this point and Hopkins hasn’t been in a rush to sign." The prevailing thought is that the veteran wide out prefers to prolong signing with a new club in the event that a new team might emerge and increase Hopkins' current market.
It shows that Tennessee understands the skepticism about its current receiving corps.
The Titans only meaningful addition to that position group was signing free-agent Chris Moore. Tennessee also drafted Colton Dowell in the seventh round this year, but the UT Martin product is far from a lock to make the roster. Hopkins would add more to Tennessee's pass catching group than he would on any other NFL roster.
Substantial progress from second-year players Treylon Burks, Kyle Philips and Chig Okonkwo are critical.
Should they all hit, Tennessee's skill position future would be bright. Banking on that as the Titans only source of offensive progress, however, is borderline reckless. The 2023 team has already suffered setbacks on that side of the ball, losing starting right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere for six games due to a gambling suspension. Running back Hassan Haskins, also a part of the team's 2022 draft class, was recently arrested and charged with aggravated assault by strangulation.
Landing Hopkins would make a massive difference for a team trafficking so much in its youth movement this year.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
