When DeAndre Hopkins explored the open market during his free agency period, the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans were on the front lines of the competition to bolster their offense at receiver.
According to reports, the Patriots lacked competition, while the Titans jumped at the chance to add a veteran WR to their team. What was the reason for the failure of the Patriots, who were more interested in the player? Nothing is certain, but an NFL analyst has held the team’s head coach accountable for it.
NFL Analyst points finger at Belichick for missing out on Hopkins
The relationship between the Cardinals and their former veteran receiver ended up being divorced in May, after not finding a trade partner for him. Following the release, many wide receiver-needy teams flocked together to add him to strengthen their position.
However, only the Titans and the Patriots team paid a deal visit with the receiver to know his expectations and build the contract accordingly. After months of speculation, the Titans end up succeeding to sign a contract with the 31-year-old.
The Patriots needed a weapon for Mac Jones, hence a Hopkins trade was assumed from them. As they failed to gain the opportunity, the team’s front office is now facing many questions regarding their negligence and Bill Belichick is the one to suffer greatly. NFL analyst Colin Cowherd thus feels that Belichick should be more considerate to add a helping hand for Jones that he expressed in “The Herd”.
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“It’s more of an indictment on New England,” Cowherd said. “So, DeAndre Hopkins did not choose Belichick, you know, with six, seven Super Bowl rings, did not choose offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, he didn’t choose Mac Jones, a first-round pick who clearly is their No. 1 quarterback.
The Titans were “more aggressive” on the table for DHop than Belichicks’ team. As a result, having relatively more value from the Titans, DeAndre paid no heed to Belichicks’ interest. Now the Titans are entitled to enjoy all the superpowers of Hopkins and adorn their receiver room that Bill missed out on in spite of getting too close.
“Now, he chooses Tennessee with a shaky offensive line, running back-dominant and you have no idea what the future is at quarterback, and yet Vrabel sold him on it, and that’s all this was. Free agency is salesmanship. It’s a little bit like college football inserted into pro football.”
DeAndre Hopkins set to sign with Titans
The Cardinals added their former wide receivers in an explosive trade with the Titans in 2020. After just two seasons, they cut their ties with him declaring him a free agent. The Titans finally are expected to sign All-Pro wide receiver on a two-year and $26 million deal with an additional $6 million which may be worth up to $32 million.
Thus his base salary is set as $12 million, additionally, that may help reel in upwards of $15 million if he agrees on the incentives and bonuses. Now, the receivers’ annual salary sits at $13 million. Previously the former Cardinal star player occupied the third spot in the record list in accordance with the report of NFL.com, unfortunately, the new deal has kicked him out of the list.
Whatever; whether the NFL analyst’s claim is justified or not, DeAndre’s performance this season will tell.
