The waiting game continues for veteran free agents around the league, including wideout DeAndre Hopkins. While weighing his options, the All-Pro recently made it clear that he intends to continue his career well into the future.
I’ll retire from football when I’m not a 1k-yard receiver,” Hopkins said in a Threads post. “With that said, I was on pace for 1,400 yards last year – one significant injury in 11 years. I might be playing till I’m 37 the way I feel.”
Hopkins, 31, has been limited to 19 games over the past two seasons due to injury and his 2022 PED suspension. In spite of that, he demonstrated a continued ability to produce when on the field last season, averaging just under 80 receiving yards per contest. If healthy, the former Texan and Cardinal could very well turn in another 1,000-yard performance on his new team.
The five-time Pro Bowler last reached that mark in 2020, his first campaign in Arizona. He will be expected to once again serve as an impact-making receiver on his next team, especially if he is able to secure the lucrative pact he is reportedly seeking. Hopkins has only taken visits with two teams so far – the Titans and Patriots – but each has submitted an offer to him. His market outside of Tennessee and New England has remained underwhelming, though, leaving him to wait for further interest to develop.
Hopkins has been in talks with both the Titans and Patriots this week, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (h/t Grant Gordon of NFL.com). Nothing is considered imminent at this point, however, which comes as little surprise with training camp serving as an unofficial soft deadline for a deal to come together. New England’s new contract for DeVante Parker has not taken them out of contention for Hopkins, while the Titans remain confident they can ultimately secure the Clemson alum.
Hopkins’ remarks likely won’t have an effect on the terms he would be given on a short-term deal, one which would allow him to rebuild his value coming off of consecutive seasons with significant missed time. With an eye on his career lasting deep into his 30s, though, a multi-year agreement could be of interest as well, be it from the Titans, Patriots or another suitor.
More must-reads: