The DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes are over. The Titans beat out the Patriots — the one-time favorite in the competition — for the free agent star receiver.
The situation in Tennessee was more attractive, more appealing than the home of the six-time Super Bowl champions.
Does anyone in New England like the sound of that?
Maybe if it was Kansas City, Buffalo, Philadelphia, or a legitimate contender, it would be easier to swallow.
But Tennessee?
What could the Titans possibly offer Hopkins that the Patriots, who also had the receiver in for a visit, don’t have?
The Patriots fell in line with just about everything Hopkins was seeking. They checked off all the boxes.
During a recent interview, Hopkins even stated his preferences.
He said he was looking for stable management, because he’s been through four different general managers in his career. Check. Bill Belichick has been the de facto GM for more than two decades. The Titans, meanwhile, just hired a new general manager (Ran Carthon), replacing longtime head Jon Robinson.
Next, it was a quarterback who loves the game, and brings everyone on board with him. From what players say about Mac Jones, that’s another check. And is Ryan Tannehill that much of an upgrade over Jones, if he’s even an upgrade at all? Doubt it.
Then, that team had to have a great defense, because defense wins championships. While it remains to be seen in the Patriots defense is great, it can arguably be described as being very good. Heading into the 2023 season, the Pats unit is ranked ahead of the Titans.
Beyond that, whatever issues Hopkins had with Bill O’Brien also didn’t seem to be a deal-breaker. And Hopkins and Bill Belichick were on great terms.
So what’s missing? So why would Hopkins head to Tennessee?
It had to be money.
The Patriots apparently weren’t willing to go to the financial lengths the Titans did for Hopkins, who agreed to a two-year, $26 million deal worth up to $32 million with incentives, a source confirmed to MassLive.
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Maybe the fact that Tennessee has no state income tax played a role, but that shouldn’t have been the difference.
The Patriots had the money. They had the cap space, and if not, could have created whatever was needed. This just tells you they weren’t willing to go above and beyond for the 31-year-old receiver to combat the receiver having to pay taxes in Massachusetts.
In theory, and on paper, Hopkins would have helped Jones and the Patriots offense, one that’s starved for elite talent, and difference-making players.
Opposing teams would have had to pay attention to him, opening things up for others. DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne and/or Tyquan Thornton would have drawn more favorable matchups and had a better chance of getting open with Hopkins drawing safety help.
Apparently, they didn’t feel Hopkins was worth the expense.
For what it’s worth, internally, the Patriots do like what they have in-house. They like their collection of receivers, along with tight ends Mike Gesicki and Hunter Henry.
They’re confident new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien will make the group more competitive than it was last year under Matt Patricia and Joe Judge.
And that will be enough for Jones to thrive.
They better be right. This group better flourish during the 2023 season. Team owner Robert Kraft doesn’t want to endure another season without the playoffs. He’s openly claimed Belichick has a green light to spend all the money he wants or needs to produce a contending team.
If the offense sputters, or can’t compete on the scoreboard, losing Hopkins will loom even larger.