Although the Titans picked up their first win Monday night, they are 1-3 and in the first months of Brian Callahan‘s HC tenure. Callahan was not in Tennessee when the team won the DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes last summer, and the accomplished wide receiver is in the second season of a two-year contract.
Naturally, Hopkins would be of interest to teams looking for help at the position. And interest is starting to pick up, with the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora reporting teams are starting to gather intel on Hopkins ahead of the trade deadline.
With Hopkins in his age-32 season, clubs are determining how much he has left to offer, La Canfora adds. Despite coming to Tennessee after an injury-prone Arizona tenure, Hopkins moved past 1,000 yards last season — his seventh year in four-digit territory. He accumulated 1,057 yards and scored seven touchdowns, helping Will Levis show flashes during an inconsistent rookie season. Thus far this season, the 12th-year veteran has 10 receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown. Though, Hopkins did miss several weeks due to a knee injury this summer.
The Titans may still be interested in having Hopkins help Levis develop, as the team — despite winning Monday with Mason Rudolph at the helm — is still committed to the second-year QB. Tennessee threw considerable resources into bolstering its offense to determine Levis’ long-term viability this offseason, adding the likes of Lloyd Cushenberry, JC Latham and Tony Pollard. This effort also included a big-ticket Calvin Ridley deal and a one-year Tyler Boyd accord. With underachieving former first-rounder Treylon Burks still rostered, the Titans have a Hopkins replacement ready — if they deem an offer worthwhile.
Hopkins would not qualify as a player who would draw a Davante Adams-level offer, and the Jaguars putting Christian Kirk on the table would also likely fetch a higher price (Kirk is 28 and is signed through 2025). Hopkins profiles as a classic rental. The Titans stood down on interest in rental pieces like Derrick Henry and Denico Autry last year, with the team also holding onto Hopkins despite interest emerging. But the Titans are still in rebuilding mode. Of course, it was later reported Carthon was overruled on moving Henry last year. Carthon denied this, but the second-year GM — post-Mike Vrabel — now has full control. It would make sense for them to listen, especially with Burks rostered.
The Chiefs and Bills discussed Hopkins with the…