Hopkins embracing 'challenge' of mentoring new Titans teammates
Some of the NFL's greatest wide receivers helped DeAndre Hopkins throughout his career, and now the Tennessee Titans wideout wants to do the same with his new teammates.
"I approach it as a challenge to help those guys get to where they want to be," the 31-year-old said Tuesday, according to reporter Paul Kuharsky.
He added, "I had someone like Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald show me the way. ... Obviously, it's about the team. Whatever I can do to help (my teammates) on and off the field, that's what I'll do."
Hopkins entered the NFL as a first-round pick in 2013 on the Texans and played his first two seasons with Johnson - Houston's all-time leader in receptions (1,012), receiving yards (13,597), and touchdown catches (64).
Houston traded Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, and he joined a wide receiver depth chart headlined by Fitzgerald, who ranks second in NFL history with 1,432 catches and 17,492 receiving yards. Fitzgerald's 121 career TD receptions are the sixth-most ever.
The Titans' wide receiver depth chart features several unproven pass-catchers, including 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Hopkins, a five-time Pro Bowler, has caught 853 passes for 11,298 yards and 71 touchdowns throughout his career. He signed with Tennessee on July 16.
"(Hopkins is) a proven player that's had production year after year," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. "A veteran presence that's seen a lot of defenses, he's got the experience on offense."
Hopkins, who generated interest from multiple teams and also visited the New England Patriots after being released by the Cardinals, said running back Derrick Henry was a big part of his decision to join the Titans.
"I always wanted to be part of an offense that had a great run game," Hopkins added.
The Titans started last season 7-3 but missed the playoffs after losing their final seven games. Veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill finished the campaign on the sideline due to injury, and Tennessee started Joshua Dobbs in its must-win Week 18 contest versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars edged the Titans 20-16 to win the AFC South.
"When Josh came in and those guys were very close to still winning, they were right there. It kind of opened my eyes up to see that they're only a couple of pieces away from where they want to be," Hopkins said, per team reporter Jim Wyatt.
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