Will Levis and DeAndre Hopkins began with a lot of chemistry together as Tennessee Titans. In Levis’s first NFL start, he and Hopkins connected for three touchdowns. But Hopkins’ production and Levis’s growth have mostly slowed ever since, potentially igniting some simmering tension between the two.
We might have seen this come to a head during Tennessee’s matchup with the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
After Levis missed Hopkins on a deep third-and-long pass in the first quarter, the receiver openly critiqued Levis for missing him on the field. Given his recent history, Levis unsurprisingly had none of these antics, pushing right back on Hopkins as the two seemingly had a heated argument on the sideline:
Titans rookie QB Will Levis and WR DeAndre Hopkins were exchanging words on the sideline…😳 pic.twitter.com/NMKANaGPL6
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) December 3, 2023
Here’s the video of Levis confronting Hopkins on the sidelines with the rookie signal-caller coming right at his top playmaker:
Will Levis and DeAndre Hopkins having a discussion pic.twitter.com/vvMpuhllzX
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 3, 2023
Without knowing the play call and intention, it’s impossible to understand who is right between Levis and Hopkins here. I think it’s more about Hopkins trying to rip his quarterback in public — a disrespect Levis almost certainly didn’t appreciate. But it could also be Hopkins’s mistake, which Levis is entitled to point out as his quarterback if the receiver is going to be openly opinionated. Whatever happened here, Hopkins was clearly unpleased with his quarterback, too.
To that, I say: Hopkins chose to sign with the rebuilding Titans. It’s not Levis’s fault he’s a developing rookie and not, say, prime Patrick Mahomes.
This was how Twitter reacted to the sideline argument between Levis and Hopkins
Even as a rookie Will Levis is taking command of this team and I love it. A true leader https://t.co/y9v2QICt1x
— Kolton Hix (@Hixify_) December 3, 2023
https://t.co/JgLEBU5Byr pic.twitter.com/f6Ju7O4m5E
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) December 3, 2023
Hopkins was NOT moved by Levis’ emotion methinks https://t.co/ahFOUxampG
— Michael Walton II (@ZenMasterMike) December 3, 2023
could’ve been a Chief yet you’re in Tennessee getting scolded by a rookie https://t.co/dR5GfYghlA
— blonde (@yebsss0) December 3, 2023
Hopkins chose this over a chance at a ring https://t.co/1DrA8qVXYo
— Stephen Stark (@housestarkkc) December 3, 2023
Levis threw the ball outta bounds lol https://t.co/NJ9e0yBpJK
— 😇 (@ImNotChris06) December 3, 2023
https://t.co/7mfXeLMucC pic.twitter.com/eHivsXDFSo
— Dre (@Duval_Dre) December 3, 2023
When Hop is quiet, something is messed up. Hop will be a Chief next year. https://t.co/qKVfv9VW8y
— Brian Cunningham (@brian_matthew38) December 3, 2023
Levis talking crazy he gotta relax https://t.co/skQmfkmibf
— Ahmir (@StarstruckAhmir) December 3, 2023
