Titans’ DeAndre Hopkins Can’t Wait To Crush The Four Teams That Rejected Him During Free Agency
This summer, DeAndre Hopkins agreed to a two-year, $26 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, but not before a number of NFL teams reportedly declined the chance to sign him.
Titans’ DeAndre Hopkins Can’t Wait To Crush The Four Teams That Rejected Him During Free Agency
Star receiver DeAndre Hopkins made it obvious that he hasn’t forgotten about the clubs that passed on him during free agency this offseason ahead of what could be a resurgent season with the Titans.
Hopkins, who signed a two-year contract with Tennessee in July, said in a recent interview with GQ that some of the clubs he approached “didn’t give a callback.” The 31-year-old originally stopped before mentioning the 49ers, Giants, Lions, and Cowboys when pressed for more information.
Update: #Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins says that the #49ers, #Cowboys, #Giants and #Lions didn't want him after he reached out during his free-agency, via @GQMagazine
"Detroit Lions, they didn’t want me, the Dallas Cowboys didn’t want me. Giants didn’t want me. Sh-t. Who else ain’t… pic.twitter.com/VWCZX5gYtC
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 7, 2023
“Detroit Lions, they didn’t want me,” Hopkins told GQ. “Dallas Cowboys didn’t want me. Giants didn’t want me. S—. Who else ain’t want me? San Fran[cisco] ain’t want me.”
The five-time Pro Bowler continued by outlining the message he wants to deliver in his debut season with the Titans, particularly to the clubs that passed him during free agency.
Deandre Hopkins watching the Chiefs WRs tonight after they didn't sign him. 😅pic.twitter.com/67wsQp3lms
— theScore (@theScore) September 8, 2023
“I’m very grateful for where I am, I think I made the best decision,” said Hopkins. “But when you’re a player and some people feel like they’re great without you, and then you see what they have on paper, or you see what they do, you mark those games down, as a competitor. I can’t wait to play’ em and, honestly, try my best to crush they a–.”
From 2018 to 2020, Deshaun Watson finished as the QB5 every year.
During that time, DeAndre Hopkins averaged
🔸157 targets, 111 receptions, 1381 yards, 8 TDs
🔸WR2, WR4, WR4 (PPR)Watson feeds targets to his WR1.
This is an Amari Cooper tweet. pic.twitter.com/pN2fBEPuPH
— Lobo’s Fantasy Football Den (@LobosFFDen) September 1, 2023
Despite the disappointment of being overlooked by these teams, Hopkins expressed his determination to use the rejection as motivation. “I can’t wait to play ’em and, honestly, try my best to crush their a–,” he declared, emphasizing his competitive spirit and eagerness to prove himself on the field.
I got here, he called me out in a team meeting about a play that I f—– up on. I was like, damn, it's only been one day…this is a different standard of football…this is how you win”@DeAndreHopkins on @Titans head coach, @CoachVrabel50: https://t.co/SxFfkEGfJE pic.twitter.com/s4tt32UyvS
— GQ Sports (@GQSports) September 7, 2023
Hopkins concluded by expressing his thanks for his current status with the Titans and admitting that he is confident in his choice.
Hopkins has 106 catches for 1,289 yards and 11 touchdowns in his last 19 games spanning those two seasons. The three-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler is still productive, and he is anticipated to be a significant improvement for a Tennessee receiving group that suffered terribly following the team’s transfer of A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles last year.
Remember when the Chiefs could have freed up enough cap space to sign DeAndre Hopkins by extending Chris Jones?
— Bills Chat Podcast (@BillsChatPod) September 8, 2023
This Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, he will make his Titans debut. The game will start at 1 p.m. ET.
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