DeAndre Hopkins BREAKING: Texans Ex Signs with Rival

No, DeAndre Hopkins was never going to return to the Houston Texans. And now we know he's doing the exact opposite by signing with the Tennessee Titans.

Was DeAndre Hopkins every going to really return to the Houston Texans? There were summer reports on the idea, with The Houston Chronicle reporting that the Texans were one of the teams that Hopkins was interested in signing with.

We don't think that idea really ever got any traction, though, and on Sunday it was revealed that D-Hop is going in the exact other direction: He'll be playing against Houston twice a year.

Hopkins is signing on with the Tennessee Titans, multiple reports say, meaning that he is joining a key AFC South rival of his old Texans team.

In Houston, the Texans will plow on with wide receivers Nico Collins and Robert Woods and Tank Dell along with tight end Dalton Schultz, as guys who either are the most established pass catchers that Houston currently employs or are guys who show promise.

But the DeAndre Dream? Even if Hopkins is no longer a top-five wide receiver - and again, Houston will now get a first-hand look at that - the three-time All-Pro would've immediately be the best option for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud to throw to.

Hopkins passed on joining contenders like the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs to make this move, and also passed on hooking up with Bill O'Brien, now the Patriots offensive coordinator. Of course, now the Titans might be able to call themselves contenders as well, especially in an AFC South that seems wide-open in terms of producing a titlist.

A first-round pick in 2013, Hopkins caught 632 passes for 8,602 yards and 54 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Texans. Hopkins is probably already the third-best player in the young franchise's history ... but now he will become part of Titans history, too.

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