Free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is believed to be waiting until training camp before ultimately making a decision on where to sign next. Multiple reports, including ESPN’s Mike Reiss, have linked the five-time All-Pro wideout to the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans.
But which team has the edge in signing him?
The Patriots are in a better position from a salary cap perspective, but according to Reiss, the Titans have been aggressive in trying to land the star receiver.
Hopkins’ decision could ultimately come down to the likelihood of him reaching incentives in his next contract. In a recent ESPN column, Reiss wrote:
If it remains between the Titans and Patriots, one question Hopkins might have to ask himself is which team gives him a better chance to cash in on incentives and maximize his earnings. Given his proven production in Bill O’Brien’s offense from their time together with the Houston Texans, perhaps that would give New England an edge.
Hopkins had his most productive years as an NFL player when playing for O’Brien, including his career-high 2018 season, when he caught 115 passes for 1,572 yards. So it would make sense for him to want to test those waters again.
There’s also the fact that the Patriots are a better built team to compete, despite being in a much tougher conference. They have an elite defense, stability at the top and an offense that should be much-improved with O’Brien overseeing things.
By-and-large, the Patriots still seem like the perfect match for a 31-year-old receiver that fits the mold for what exactly the offense needs right now—a legitimate outside receiving threat capable of striking real fear in opposing defenses.
