DeAndre Hopkins is prepared to sign with the Titans, according to Doug Kyed of AtoZ Sports Nashville and ESPN’s Dianna Russini. Tennessee is giving Hopkins a two-year deal worth up to $32 million with incentives, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He will get a base salary of $12 million in 2023 with a chance to earn up to an additional $3 million in incentives.
Sunday’s news marks the first big splash in free agency for new Tennessee general manager Ran Carthon as he pairs Hopkins with star running back Derrick Henry on offense. The Titans had one of the worst receiving corps in the NFL in 2022. The team ranked 29th among the league’s 32 teams in receiving yards (3,227) and receptions (285), and it tied for 28th with 16 touchdown catches. Tennessee finished 7–10 and missed the postseason for the first time since 2018.
Hopkins became a free agent when the Cardinals surprisingly released the five-time Pro Bowl selection in May amid swirling trade rumors. Instead of getting something in return for Hopkins, they let the veteran wideout walk without compensation. At age 31, Hopkins likely still has plenty of football left in him.
He appeared in nine games in 2022 after serving a six-game suspension to start the season for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. In those nine appearances, he tallied 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns, but Arizona finished the year 4–13 at the bottom of the NFC West.
