The Tennessee Titans made waves across the football world yesterday when it was reported that free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins would be signing with the team on a two-year $26M deal. I wrote about this potentially happening last week, and I called it a luxury but not a necessity. From the changes on the offensive coaching staff, the drafting and signing of pass-protecting offensive linemen, and the addition of Hopkins, I think it’s fair to assume that this team is going to pass the ball more to achieve a little more balance on offense. It’s exciting.
As for what it does for my expectations in 2023, buddy, I was calling this team “slept on” before the Hopkins signing. What do you think it does for me? If this team can stay healthy, they’re going to be a contender. If they struggle with injuries yet again, it’ll be the same old song and dance. But, with the nucleus of Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry intact, we should see another competitive effort from this team in 2023.
But, maybe my favorite thing to come out of this whole signing is the banner day we had on Twitter yesterday. People that don’t actually know a thing about football but pretend to on the internet were having a field day. Folks were exposing themselves left and right yesterday. Salty Patriots fans. Hopeful Jags fans. Everyone was chiming in to say something stupid – so, since I’ve already broken down this addition and plan to dive into Hopkins’ film for Film Friday on Stacking The Inbox, I figured for the time being, I’d pick my favorite ideas that I saw floating around on Twitter yesterday and share them with you guys in case you missed them.
“The Titans didn’t have money” – Just admit that you don’t understand how finances work in the NFL. It’s fine. Most people don’t. Hell, I don’t. I just don’t say stupid shit online like “the Titans don’t have the cap room to sign DeAndre Hopkins.”
Mac Jones > Ryan Tannehill – Patriots fans were big mad that Hopkins chose Tennessee over New England. I get it. But, one of these quarterbacks helped to elevate his team to an AFC Championship berth, back to back AFC South titles, and playoff runs in three of the last four years, while sneaking a ‘Comeback Player of the Year’ award in there too. The other was benched…benched…for Bailey Zappe. They are not the same.
Kenny Golladay has a higher ceiling than Hopkins – I don’t know what kind of crack y’all are smoking, but I may need some. Have y’all watched any football at all over the past two years?
Hopkins is washed – Y’all weren’t saying that when your team was interested in him. *shrug*
Hopkins just took the money – It’s so funny to me that people are so lost on the Titans, because they do such little actual work on the Titans, that they can’t even fathom the idea that this team is going to be competitive in 2023. As a result, they just assume Hopkins was looking for a big payday. Now, to be clear, I do think money talks and the Titans were willing to give Hopkins what he wants from a financial standpoint. That was the deciding factor. But, it’s the outright shock…the borderline “how could he?” attitude…that gets me. He “obviously doesn’t care about winning,” and “he’s going to vacation in Tennessee for two years” were good ones, too. Tell me you haven’t watched the Mike Vrabel Titans without telling me you haven’t watched the Mike Vrabel Titans.
Easton Freeze caused DeAndre Hopkins to sign elsewhere – I loved this one so much. You’re off the hook now, Easton.
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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