The Patriots and Titans’ offers for DeAndre Hopkins were extended nearly a month ago. The former All-Pro wide receiver’s inaction has made it quite clear he is eager to see if other teams will compete with the AFC teams. It appears other interested parties remain.
Hopkins does look to be waiting on the Chiefs to extend Chris Jones. That will create cap space for the defending Super Bowl champions, who have been in on Hopkins since early this offseason. (More buzz on a Jones deal surfaced Tuesday.) The Chiefs negotiated with the Cardinals on a Hopkins trade, but the Ravens’ $15MM Odell Beckham Jr. guarantee blew up those talks and led to Arizona eventually releasing the 10-year veteran.
While Kansas City still looks to be lingering here, Buffalo fits the same profile. The Bills also negotiated with the Cardinals before Hopkins’ release, and GM Brandon Beane spoke with the then-agentless wide receiver shortly after the late-May cut. Not much has emerged on the Buffalo-Hopkins front in weeks, but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes the team is still in on the high-profile free agent (Twitter link). As of now, however, the Bills are not aiming to compete with an escalating market. They have a firm price point, per Florio.
Buffalo’s price is clearly not to Hopkins’ liking, and the team only carries $5.5MM in cap space. The Bills and Chiefs’ low cap-space figures likely led to the Titans and Patriots taking the early lead here, hosting the former Texans superstar on visits. The Titans, who have the worst receiver situation among these four teams, may be the club most willing to come closest to Hopkins’ asking price. They remain confident in a deal transpiring. Tennessee submitting the highest offer would put Hopkins to a decision, especially if firm Bills or Chiefs proposals eventually emerge.
The Bills have a clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver, in Stefon Diggs. Despite Sean McDermott sending a disgruntled Diggs home from the team facility during minicamp, four years remain on the standout receiver’s contract. Hopkins is coming off two seasons limited by injuries and a PED ban. The Bills could still use the Clemson product as a hired gun of sorts alongside Gabe Davis, forming an imposing three-receiver set. The team is prepared to use first-round tight end Dalton Kincaid extensively in the slot, however, in two-tight end sets featuring starter Dawson Knox.
Hopkins, 31, has mentioned the Bills as an attractive destination at multiple points. It is unclear how he would proceed if the Bills and Chiefs submitted similar offers. Having lost JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman in free agency, Kansas City has a clearer receiver need. It is also unclear how much of a discount Hopkins would take if a Titans offer led the pack by a notable margin. The wait continues in one of the NFL’s two frequently discussed midsummer free agent derbies.
I love it, but its gotta be a very modest contract.
There is a chance he is starting to hit the wall.
The Von Miller contract may end up being ugly, and I don’t want to potentially carry two contracts like that trying to win now. ( at the expense of future resignings)
This team is good enough to be in the conversation for the next few years – Let’s not jeopardize that by taking on more risks.
Still, it would be really hard for even the most pessimistic fans to think Buffalo is not better on paper with Diggs and DHop. Maybe even the favorites.
Ouuu but is Diggs going to allow it? Is he going to permit Bills management to sign someone that might cut into his targets? After all, Diggs isn’t just a receiver. He’s the coach, OC and GM too!!
Ohhh look it’s casual fans doing casual fan things….
Calling someone a “casual.” So edgy.
The Chiefs will be scary good with him in the fold next season……what do you think he’s been waiting for, exactly..for the Chiefs to get this Chris Jones deal done
This soap opera has run longer than the Jets-Rodgers one
Nah, the Jets-Rodgers one started two off-seasons ago.
The Rodgers one did, the Jets weren’t in on him previously. That was Denver
Seems like every team is still in on him; as long as he doesn’t ask for the bank.
DeAndre Popcans