Memorial Day, Hopkins, The Numbers, And The Likelihood He Joins The Titans

Memorial Day Madness edition, as we look at DeAndre Hopkins, some rumors, and whether he will ultimately choose the Tennessee Titans.

DEAN HENSLEY/ TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK

NASHVILLE - As I begin this morning, I would be remiss if this one didn't start with remembering those who gave all for my freedom to write this today. So I wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day, including DeAndre Hopkins, who inspired this rant.

Since news of Hopkins's release by the Arizona Cardinals hit the front page, he has been the repeated source of stories -like this one- and social media comments on what the Tennessee Titans would need to do if they want to add the former All-Pro wideout to their roster for the 2023 season. 

Let's start with the first order of business, which is prayer.

Yes, Hopkins has a well-documented connection and even a friendship with Titans head man Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Tim Kelly from their days in Houston together, so the thought that Hopkins could choose Nashville as his new home isn't out of the realm of possibilities. 

Still, with that possibility in mind, when we look at everything that Hopkins has said of late in regards to which quarterbacks and teams he is interested in, and the fact he also said he isn't interested in playing with a rookie passer, those things dampen the hopes of him choosing the Titans.    

However, let's suppose that he did decide that a reunion with Vrabel and Kelly was in his best interests at this point in his career. Do the Titans have the flexibility to afford him, considering their current cap situation?

I spent some time this weekend talking with someone with much more cap expertise than myself, and the short answer is yes, they can make it happen, and they wouldn't have to move a veteran player like Kevin Byard, who has been the most mentioned name in such rumors.    

Why would anyone think that moving Byard would be a good idea in the first place? Yes, the Titans have a well-documented need for upgrades on the receiver's roster, but let's get rid of one of the best, most dependable safeties in the league and create a whole there to fill a hole at receiver. 

My dad, who was a Viet Nam veteran, had a term for this type of thinking, but I can't print it, so I'll adjust and use just part of the phrase as "dumb."  

How could the Titans possibly gather the funds necessary to sign Hopkins without moving Byard? Restructure another veteran, like Harold Landry or even Byard, where their numbers are extended for three seasons, and spread that cash out to be used for Hopkins. 

Before some of you spin sideways,  Byard refused a pay cut. To public knowledge, he hasn't been asked about restructuring his deal where he could receive a sizeable payday now. Which I think he would be up for if requested.   

With a truckload of cash on the horizon for the Titans in 2024, spreading either of these out into 2024, 2025, and 2026 would be easy and painless and would avoid this short-sighted urge to create one hole to fix another.   

There's another option that the Titans and their creative money man VIn Marino could use if they did not want to touch Landry or Byard's deals. It involves the structure of Hopkins contract to include NLTBE (Not Likely To Be Earned) Incentives) along with some LTBE (Likely To Be Earned) incentives and two voidable seasons where they can lower his initial number for this season to a much more manageable figure.   

Marino has been the Titans cap guru since the team landed on the East Bank, and he knows this and probably other options available for the Titans to make this happen. 

This whole thing reverts back to the above-listed issues, which is what Hopkins has said. If he sticks to those stated wants, all this discussion is moot. 

The ball is clearly in Hopkins' court. While Vrabel, Kelly, and Ran Carthon have possibly already made their pitch, it will come down to what the veteran wide receiver has as options from his preferred teams versus what the Titans can offer monetarily. 

Then, of course, there is his desire to win a ring. If that is a motivating factor as he nears the end of his playing career, the Titans aren't likely to draw much consideration.  

It's just the reality of the current situation for this franchise, but as we know, anything can happen, and until he has signed with a team, fans, and the media will continue to fantasize and write about the potential impact getting Hopkins would have on the Titans this season. 

Don't expect to read anything else from me about him until he is a Titan, if that happens.    

Happy Memorial Day, everyone. Let us remember the reason for this holiday is more than just a reason for a cookout, though that is a welcome part of what I will be doing later today, and thank a veteran or a Gold Star family for their sacrifice for us all.

  

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