Two teams 'have major interest' in signing star WR

DeAndre Hopkins. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Two teams 'have major interest' in signing DeAndre Hopkins

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 6/26/23

With training camp one month away, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins remains unsigned. Although, that's not due to a lack of interest.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans have each made it clear they "have a major interest in signing" Hopkins to a deal.

During a Sunday appearance on "SportsCenter," Fowler noted that despite the interest from New England and Tennessee, the five-time Pro Bowler isn't rushing a decision as he waits for the right situation.

Hopkins visited the Patriots and Titans earlier this month. Both teams are desperate to improve aerial attacks that each accounted for fewer than 19 touchdowns in 2023. The 31-year-old Hopkins has hauled in 71 touchdowns since entering the league in 2013, the fourth-highest total in football over that span.

DeAndre Hopkins has started his visit with the #Titans: pic.twitter.com/WDBtNzOuys
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 12, 2023

There have also been persistent rumors of contenders such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills making a run at Hopkins if they can make the money work. The latter two teams are strapped for cash at the moment.

The Bills have approximately $5M in cap space while the Chiefs are last in the NFL with $858.8K available cap space according to Spotrac. Both squads finished last season ranked within the top seven of passing offense, but each has questions at receiver entering 2023.

The Chiefs are hopeful former first-rounder Kadarius Toney, who has 55 career receptions to his name, can emerge as a No. 1 wideout after losing JuJu Smith-Schuster (to New England) in free agency. The Bills are currently attempting to iron out their relationship with superstar Stefon Diggs, who skipped out on voluntary offseason workouts and the first day of mandatory minicamp.

Fittingly enough, there's been rumblings that Diggs' displeasure with the organization may at least be partially due to the Bills failing to add Hopkins after he restructured his deal with Buffalo.

"Stefon Diggs is frustrated because after he restructured his deal the Bills failed to land DeAndre Hopkins."

— @craigcartonlive pic.twitter.com/ctYEKPTret
— The Carton Show (@TheCartonShow) June 19, 2023