Tyler's Take: Tennessee Titans Need to Sign DeAndre Hopkins, but Likely Can't

The Tennessee Titans' wide receiver group could desperately use a veteran of DeAndre Hopkins caliber. With his recent release the Titans should be calling him, but it isn't likely he'd choose them.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have been rumored as one of teams interested in trading for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, but now he has been released. The Titans should be calling, but why would Hopkins say yes?

Cardinals released DeAndre Hopkins. pic.twitter.com/c0f9UaabYA

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 26, 2023

There is no doubt that the Titans desperately need a guy like Hopkins. Pairing Hopkins with Burks as a starting receiver tandem gives you a respectable NFL receiver group and slots everyone else more appropriately. Titans' general manager Ran Carthon should be on the phone to Hopkins' agent as we speak.

The Titans' reason for interest is clear, but what about Hopkins? Would his interest lead him to join the Titans? When you start to think about it, it becomes hard to find a logical reason he would do so.

To dive into Hopkins' logic, let's look at the criteria he used during his recent appearance on the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast.

“What I want is stable management upstairs,” Hopkins said. “I think that’s something I haven’t really had the past couple years of my career coming from Houston and then to Arizona. I’ve been through three or four GMs in my career, so a stable management. A QB who loves the game, a QB who brings everybody on board with him and pushes not just himself but everybody around him . . . and a great defense. A great defense wins championships.”

While the Titans seem like a stable organization, they did just get a brand new general manager. Carthon may be great, but it is still his first season. Hopkins may or may not think of that as a downside, but it is easy to why that might not be the stability he is looking for.

Hopkins also listed the top five quarterbacks he wanted to play with on the podcast and Ryan Tannehill was certainly not listed. Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson. All players who are far more talented than Tannehill. 

As for the defense, yes the Titans look to have a good defense led by an impressive defensive line, but last year they gave up the most passing yards in the NFL. While people close to the Titans believe in the defense, you could see how Hopkins would not consider it the level he is describing.

Finally, the reality of the Titans' situation has to be taken into account. The Titans probably aren't a Super Bowl contender even with a Hopkins addition. Even if you are someone who thinks they would be, are the Titans are better chance to win a ring than the Chiefs or Bills or Eagles? Absolutely not.

The one splash signing by the Titans wouldn't really change the perspective of this team heading into the 2023 season. According to the Fanduel gambling website, the Titans are heavy underdogs to win the AFC South. They are at plus-360, while the Jacksonville Jaguars are at minus-160. It's the largest gab of any of the eight divisions.

While it would be nice, there is just no logical thought process that could lead you to believing the Titans are one of the teams Hopkins would choose. At his age, winning a title will trump all other desires and that doesn't seam realistic in Tennessee this year.

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