Titans admit rebuild by trading DeAndre Hopkins to Chiefs

The Tennessee Titans are finalizing a trade to send superstar veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the news on Wednesday morning. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport then reported that the Chiefs are sending Tennessee a 5th-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft that could become a fourth-rounder if certain incentives are met. General manager Ran Carthon is admitting that his team is rebuilding.

The 1-5 Titans require additional draft capital in order to rebuild a failing team. With the NFL trade deadline approaching on November 5, Hopkins was easily Tennessee's most intriguing asset. The five-time Pro Bowler is on an expiring contract after signing a two-year deal worth $26 million last offseason. Hopkins is earning a base salary of $8.2 million with a full-season cap charge of $18.3 million, according to Over The Cap. Dianni Russini reports that the Titans will be eating a significant chunk of his salary in order to complete the trade.

Hopkins entered the 2024 season as Will Levis' perceived go-to target in a season that's all about learning whether or not Levis is capable of being a franchise quarterback. Fast forward seven weeks into the campaign and Hopkins' usage has been downright confusing. A training camp knee injury derailed his early-season usage, but the future Hall of Famer was deemed fully healthy weeks ago. Despite that, he didn't play more than 71 percent of snaps in any single Titans game this year.

Hopkins has recorded 15 receptions for 173 receiving yards and one touchdown this season. He ranks fourth on the Titans in targets, third in receptions, and second in receiving yards. Levis has targeted Calvin Ridley (36), Tony Pollard (25), and Tyler Boyd (24) more frequently.

The idea was that a trio of Ridley, Hopkins, and Boyd would help the Titans get their long-term answer on Levis. With Levis struggling mightily, it's become increasingly likely that the Titans will move on from the sophomore quarterback in the offseason. Carthon and head coach Brian Callahan no longer saw a need to retain Hopkins simply for their young quarterback's development.

Hopkins represents a big-time upgrade for a Chiefs offense that lost Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice to season-ending injuries. The proven wideout should immediately become Patrick Mahomes' go-to receiver as the Chiefs are attempting to execute the three-peat. This also marks the second blockbuster trade between the Chiefs and Titans in recent months after Carthon acquired cornerback L'Jarius Sneed from Kansas City.