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Bills ‘Lurking’ to Sign DeAndre Hopkins From Patriots in 'Ring Chase'?

The Buffalo Bills can't offer DeAndre Hopkins the most money, but they can give him the best chance to win a Super Bowl.
Richie Whitt|
Bills ‘Lurking’ to Sign DeAndre Hopkins From Patriots in 'Ring Chase'?
Bills ‘Lurking’ to Sign DeAndre Hopkins From Patriots in 'Ring Chase'?

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While the Buffalo Bills may not have the most money to offer DeAndre Hopkins, might they have a chance to sign the coveted free-agent receiver by offering a better chance at winning?

The New England Patriots remain the betting favorites to sign Hopkins. And, at this point, it seems like a two-team race as he has offers from the only teams he visited - the Pats and Tennessee Titans.

NFL insider Jeff Darlington, however, doesn't think the Bills are completely out of the race for the former Arizona Cardinal. During a Monday appearance on the "Rich Eisen Show," Darlington said still believes Hopkins has a spot in Buffalo if he wants it.

"My understanding with the Bills is, yeah, they love DeAndre Hopkins, and he'd be a great addition, but they're not gonna pay him," Darlington said. "If he wants to ring chase, there's a spot for him."

In other words, does Hopkins prioritize the most money (which he can get in Foxboro)? Or does he want to play for a legitimate Super Bowl contender (which the Bills offer much more than New England or Tennessee)?

At age 31, this will likely be Hopkins' last "big" contract. But he also has never sniffed a Super Bowl during his seven-year career, playing in only six playoff games.

If it becomes a "DeAndre Derby" simply won by the highest bidder, the Patriots have almost $18 million under the salary cap. The Titans have $8 million and Buffalo approximately $5, according to OverTheCap.

But if Hopkins wants to win, Buffalo should like its chances of luring him with quarterback Josh Allen and receiver Stefon Diggs over the offerings in New England (Mac Jones, JuJu Smith-Schuster) and Tennessee (Ryan Tannehill, Treylon Burks).

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.

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