After months of having their fanbase fantasize about this day, The Tennessee Titans finally introduced wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the media as a member of their team.
As expected, Hopkins said all of the right things while also appearing to be motivated to prove all of the doubters wrong.
One of the moments that really stood out from D-Hop’s introductory press conference occurred when he was asked if Titans running back Derrick Henry played a role in luring the future Hall of Famer to Tennessee.
Here is what Hopkins had to say about Henry’s influence and how the two of them being in the same offense can be mutually beneficial for each of them.
“Derrick played a big factor in me coming here,” Hopkins said. “I always wanted to be part of an offense that had a great run game. I know that helps my job, and I know that’s going to help his job having someone like me out there.”
Hopkins then added:
“Obviously, I’ve played with Arian Foster, played with some great running backs [in the past], but Derrick Henry is definitely, by far, one of the best running backs that I will [ever] be able to have the chance to play with, and I think that’s not just helping us [individually], but the team as well.
“So, [yes] Derrick Henry being here played a very big part in me coming here.”
"Derrick Henry playing here had a big part in me coming here"@DeAndreHopkins on getting to play with @KingHenry_2 pic.twitter.com/ayF3vQBnbw
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) July 25, 2023
It’s easy to see where the intrigue with Henry comes from.
On top of his ridiculous production over his last 64 games, he’s coming off a season where he once again faced stack boxes more frequently than any other starting running back (minimum 215 carries).
Ever since #Titans RB Derrick Henry’s legendary breakout game against the Jags (Week 14, 2018), Henry has produced UNBELIEVABLE numbers over his last 64 games played:
👑: 7,175 Rushing Yards
👑: 925 Receiving Yards
👑: 8,100 Total Yards
👑: 66 Rushing TDs
👑: 71 Total TDs pic.twitter.com/vkMQKjzMYi— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) June 21, 2023
According to Next Gen Stats, Henry faced eight or more defenders in the box on 38.11 percent of his carries, the highest percentage of his career.
To add more perspective to those numbers, Nick Chubb only faced similar defensive looks on 28.81 percent of his carries, while Josh Jacobs (2022 rushing champion) only faced stacked boxes on 20.59 percent of his.
Oh yeah, we forgot to mention that Henry still finished with over 1,500 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the year.
When you consider all of that, it’s easy to see why Hopkins wanted to join an offense that was built around that type of playmaker.
Because at the end of the day, regardless of how the media portrays this team, the two of them undoubtedly have the sort of game-changing talent that can potentially help take the Titans’ offense back to the levels of potency it reached just a few years back.
Should the Titans ultimately get to a point where they’re able to pair a similar offensive arsenal with the kind of high-caliber defense many expect them to have, the sky could honestly be the limit for this team.
