New England Patriots suffer DeAndre Hopkins blow as free agent makes decision
DeAndre Hopkins is set to join the Tennessee Titans in a blow to the New England Patriots.
Hopkins was released by the Arizona Cardinals on May 26 following three years with the franchise. The NFC West team tried to trade Hopkins, but instead saw the 31-year-old wide receiver leave as a free agent.
Since his exit, Hopkins has been the subject of intense speculation as to where the five-time Pro-Bowler will end up this off-season. At the beginning, a host of NFL teams were reportedly in the running to sign Hopkins.
Such teams included the Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens. However, it seems that another team is going to be the new home for Hopkins.
According to ESPN, Hopkins will be signing for the Tennessee Titans in the near future. The move will see Hopkins become a starting outside receiver for the AFC South team and add welcome experience to the offence.
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A further report from NFL.com stated that the Titans will hand Hopkins a two-year contract worth $26 million (£19.8m), potentially rising to $32 million (£24.4m) with added incentives. The first year of the deal is reported to see Hopkins earn $12 million (£9.2m) with the potential to increase to $15 million (£11.5m).
The news will be a blow to the Patriots, who were seen by many as the most likely destination for Hopkins. However, the experienced receiver will be competing against Bill Belichick’s team in the AFC.
Pre-season will see the Patriots face the Titans in what will be each of the team’s final friendly before the start of the 2023 NFL regular season. The two teams will not meet during the 17-game regular season, but there is a possibility of that to happen should the Patriots and the Titans reach the play-offs.
DeAndre Hopkins was released as a free agent by the Arizona Cardinals (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)Even though the Patriots have not signed Hopkins, they did move to reward a current wide receiver earlier in the off-season. The Patriots signed Devante Parker to a three-year, $33 million (£25.2m) contract on June 30.
Parker, a No.14 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft for the Miami Dolphins, joined the Patriots in April 2022 and has spent one year in Foxborough so far. His debut year for the Patriots saw him register 539 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
The Patriots have also signed JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki to strengthen the wide receiving department. Now the Patriots, who would likely have been at the very least curious about signing Hopkins, will move forward with their current roster going into the 2023 season.
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