Superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins became a free agent earlier this week when the Arizona Cardinals released him outright and decided to eat $22.6 million of salary in 2023.

Given the need for pass catchers in Music City, the Tennessee Titans were one of the teams immediately linked to Hopkins. As things currently stand, Tennessee's number one wide receiver is 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks. The number two is former undrafted free agent Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, whose career high is 476 receiving yards. 

On paper, Hopkins makes a lot of sense for the Titans. But would the 10-year veteran really want to play in Nashville under Mike Vrabel? Let's take a look at what Hopkins has said about Vrabel in the past.

Vrabel was on staff with the Houston Texans as the linebackers coach and defensive coordinator for four seasons from 2014-2017. Hopkins, who was drafted by the Texans in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, overlapped with Vrabel for all four of those years.

Even though Vrabel was on the defensive staff, he had a good number of interactions with Hopkins over the years, and the perennial Pro Bowler grew to respect Vrabel's coaching style.

"I had a lot of interaction with him," Hopkins told Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com back in 2018. "He's one of those guys you could talk to off the field, not just about football, but personal stuff. Vrabel was good to me. It wasn't just a football relationship with him, it was a personal relationship. Guys could relate to him."

"He's a great guy. He's not just a good coach, but he's a good guy. He can relate to his players. The Titans are lucky to have him," said Hopkins.

At this stage in his career, it's safe to assume Hopkins will want to join a winner. He has only had the opportunity to play in six playoff games over his 10 year career, and joining a stable organization with a winning culture and leadership is paramount. Could the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, or New England Patriots sweep him off his feet for that very reason? Perhaps. But Hopkins would also know what he's getting into playing for Mike Vrabel. He has seen first-hand the winner and competitor Vrabel is.

"He's a winner, and he knows how to win championships, man. He has been part of an organization that has done it time and time again," Hopkins told Wyatt in 2018. "With us, he did a great job. Last year we had a lot of injuries but guys still fought and played for him. I definitely think he's going to be a great head coach."

According to OverTheCap.com, the Titans have right around $6.3 million in effective cap space for 2023. It's going to take more than that to get Hopkins in two-tone blue this fall. Restructuring contracts could make more money available, and ultimately, the Titans will have to ask themselves just how important it is to add another weapon to the offense.

If the money is right, I think the fit in Nashville would be a really good one for both Hopkins and the Titans.