NFL Trade Rumors: Titans' DeAndre Hopkins Expected to Be Eyed by Steelers If Shopped
October 2, 2024
The Pittsburgh Steelers may be in on Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins if he's made available before the trade deadline.
ESPN's Dan Graziano reported the latest on the Steelers and their potential to land a wide receiver, mentioning some other possibilities as well.
"[Amari Cooper] would be one to watch for Pittsburgh, though it'd be an in-division trade, and those are tough to execute. I would expect the Steelers to be in on Davante Adams, along with DeAndre Hopkins if he becomes available, and I do wonder about Christian Kirk in Jacksonville."
The 32-year-old Hopkins is a three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler. He's off to a slow start this year (10 catches, 121 yards, one touchdown), although that's completely understandable for a few reasons.
First, Hopkins is playing through an MCL tear in his left knee. Second, the Titans' offense as a whole hasn't gotten going, averaging just 4.3 yards per play (fifth-worst mark in the NFL). The pass game in particular has struggled with just 580 yards (third-lowest in the league).
Hopkins will be a free agent after this season, although any team that lands him this year will have to pay up, per Spotrac.
Spotrac @spotracWhile <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Titans?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Titans</a> WR DeAndre Hopkins has been floated in early trade talks, his incentive-laden contract remains fairly expensive through the November 5th deadline.<br><br>New Team Acquires<br>Now: $9.56M<br>Deadline: $6.48M
Still, there's no denying his talent. Hopkins is one year removed from catching 75 passes for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns.
A change of scenery could perhaps unlock that version of Hopkins, although he has been slowed down by the MCL injury. Hopkins has played all four of the Titans' games, but his snap count for the season sits at just 37 percent, per Pro Football Reference. That's nearly half of what it was in 2023 (72 percent).
As for the Steelers, their interest in acquiring a big-name receiver is no secret. They nearly added Brandon Aiyuk via trade before he called the deal off, per Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.
FOX Sports: NFL @NFLonFOXThis story is WILD. 🤯<br><br>According to <a href="https://twitter.com/JayGlazer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JayGlazer</a>, Brandon Aiyuk called off a trade to the Steelers in the eleventh hour to stay with the 49ers! <br><br>Kyle Shanahan told Aiyuk that he had to make a decision by the end of practice on the day the deal got done. Aiyuk chose to stay in San… <a href="https://t.co/CAXBHXLOEO">pic.twitter.com/CAXBHXLOEO</a>
The Steelers are also interested in acquiring Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Adams has reportedly issued a trade request, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Pittsburgh has started the season 3-1 and could use another wide receiver. Only two Steelers wideouts have amassed more than 36 receiving yards through four games (George Pickens with 284 and Calvin Austin with 125).
As for the Titans, they could find themselves well outside the playoff picture as October continues, perhaps enticing them to sell at the trade deadline.
Tennessee started 0-3 before defeating a Tua Tagovailoa-less Miami Dolphins team 31-12. But tough games loom soon, including road matchups at the 3-1 Buffalo Bills and 3-1 Detroit Lions.
For now, Hopkins remains a Titan, and the Steelers are still looking into a new wide receiver.