The Tennessee Titans are parting ways with veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins after just one and a half seasons. The 32-year-old player is being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline. In exchange, the Chiefs will give the Titans a 2025 fifth-round pick, which could become a fourth-rounder if Hopkins plays at least 60 percent of the team’s snaps and the Chiefs reach the Super Bowl. The Titans will also absorb $2.5 million of Hopkins’ remaining salary.
Hopkins signed a two-year, $26 million contract with the Titans as a free agent in 2023. In his first year with the team, he recorded 75 catches for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. However, his performance has declined in the 2024 season, accumulating just 15 catches for 173 yards and one touchdown over six games.
This trade gives Hopkins an opportunity to work alongside Patrick Mahomes and join a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations. Meanwhile, the Titans see value in gaining draft capital for a player on an expiring contract, especially as they currently hold a poor 1-5 record this season.
Multiple factors likely influenced the Titans’ decision to trade Hopkins. As the team is not in contention for the playoffs this year, trading him for future assets seems advantageous. Given his declining numbers and impending free agency, re-signing him appeared unlikely. If his struggles continued, he might seek a more competitive environment to chase a Super Bowl in the offseason.
Financially, moving Hopkins saves the Titans some salary. They would have owed him approximately $8 million for the rest of the 2024 season, but with the trade, they will only pay a portion of that remaining amount. The dead-cap hits associated with his contract are manageable as well.
The Chiefs made an ideal trade partner, needing to bolster their receiver corps after injuries sidelined key players. They avoided giving up a top-100 draft pick to acquire a receiver, making Hopkins a suitable option for their needs while allowing the Titans to secure fair compensation.
Without Hopkins, the Titans still have weapons at receiver, having signed Calvin Ridley to a significant contract in the offseason. Veteran Tyler Boyd is also on the roster, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is expected to step into a larger role. This setup will help Tennessee evaluate whether Will Levis can be their long-term solution at quarterback.