The Titans have greeted veteran wide receiver Eric Decker with a hearty welcome to Tennessee.
Recently, the whereabouts of Eric Decker’s future home was in question and had a lot of people talking. Decker just recently finished a three year stint with the New York Jets and was subsequently released.
Decker signed a five-year, $36.25 million contract with the New York Jets on March 12, 2014. In his first season with the Jets, he caught 5 touchdown receptions and managed a career high with 10 catches and 221 yards in a single game against the Miami Dolphins.
His 2015 season was his best season with the Jets, as he reeled in 80 passes for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns.
His last season with the Jets, however, was cut short by injuries. Decker had hip and shoulder surgeries, but was able to return for the team’s offseason program. His offseason work with the team didn’t last long, though, and Decker was officially released by the Jets on June 12, 2017.
Rewind back to 2010, Decker was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the NFL draft with the 87th pick. Decker signed a four year rookie contract. Due to an injury in his last season in college, he had to undergo surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left foot, and was unable to participate in the NFL combine nor Minnesota’s pro day workout. Because of the foot surgery, Decker had to sit out the Broncos rookie mini camp and OTAs.
Decker’s initial contribution to the Broncos included special teams and some receiving work. He returned 17 kickoffs for 429 yards in his rookie season, accumulating 6 catches that went for 106 yards and one touchdown.
In 2011, Decker’s offensive output contained a game in which he caught 5 passes for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. Decker finished his sophomore campaign with 612 yards and eight touchdowns on 44 catches. And that was with Tim Tebow as his quarterback.
His 2012 season only got better. He had 85 catches for 1,064 yards and 13 touchdowns. The 13 touchdowns was the second most among wide receivers during that season.
In 2013, Decker received AFC Offensive Player of the Week award for his Week 13 performance, in which he caught eight passes for 174 yards and a whopping FOUR touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Broncos progressed to the Super Bowl that year but fell short to the Seattle Seahawks.
Recently, Decker visited the Titans and it must have paid off since Tennessee agreed to terms with Decker for a one-year deal. With all that Decker has achieved in his career, I can surely see the potential within the Titans offense.
I can’t wait to see how he and the other veterans match up this season. Welcome home, Eric Decker!