NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
With one move, the Tennessee Titans now have a Big 3 on offense, but most importantly, DeAndre Hopkins just saved the Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry era in Tennessee. There were reports early in the offseason that either one or both players could be on the move. However, with Hopkins agreeing to a deal, that stops everything and the QB and RB will get another shot at redemption. At least for a season that is.
Tannehill and Henry, during their time together, have been very productive. Remember, before arriving in Tennessee, Tannehill’s career was on a downward spiral with the Miami Dolphins. But playoff success with the Titans put him in conversations as one of the best game managers in the NFL.
As for Henry, well, his numbers speak for themselves. But Henry is edging closer to 30, he’s now in that space where teams will start searching for a replacement despite the yards he has gained. This is a business and the Titans, especially after losing AJ Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles were looking at a rebuild. To further that proof, the Titans did draft another QB in the 2022 draft–Malik Willis. And they turned around and drafted QB Will Levis this year. The writing was on the wall for Tannehill. It was just a matter of who was willing to make a trade for him.
Will The Titans Win The South With DeAndre Hopkins
But Tannehill is coming off a season where he missed 5 games and Henry is coming off a campaign where he carried the ball a league-leading 349 times. Tannehill is just 34 and Henry is 28 but with the Titans not having a clear direction, the front office was ready to blow it up.
The receivers are young and inexperienced. But with Hopkins on board now, it’s like having Brown back in the fold. That will open up lanes for Henry who averaged 4.4 yards per attempt which was down from 2020 when Brown was there and he averaged 5.4 yards per carry.
This is an important day for the Titans as DeAndre Hopkins was not coming unless Tannehill was the starting QB. When asked what he was looking for in a new team, Hopkins said he wanted a team with a QB who loves the game, stable management, and a great defense because defense wins championships.
Fans in Tennesee may question the Titans’ front office but with this move, it’s clear they’re not throwing in the towel just yet. As far as the QB who loves the game, it seems that Hopkins had to get some assurance that Tannehill will be the starter for the 2023-24 season. And as far as defense goes, the Titans were one of the best in the league last season, especially agast the run.
With the AFC South still up for grabs even after the breakout season by the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Titans, with this move just threw their hat in the ring and let the rest of the division know, they want their spot back. Just a few weeks ago, it wasn’t looking too good for Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry. Now, they may very well open the season as the favorites to take the south this year.
