Titans OC Tim Kelly Could Be X-Factor in DeAndre Hopkins Pursuit
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NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans are now in the race. There will be multiple teams trying to court DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans will get the first shot to impress, but as we learned already, they won't be the last.
Any edge in that race they can find will be used, and while Mike Vrabel's time with Hopkins is important, the relationship with Titans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly could have a sizeable impact as well.
Hopkins had some of the best seasons of his life with Tim Kelly on the offensive staff of the Houston Texans. Kelly joined the Texans in Hopkins' second season in the NFL. Kelly rose from quality control to position coach to offensive coordinator by 2019.
The one year Kelly served as Hopkins' offensive coordinator was also the last season Hopkins made first team All-Pro. Hopkins was electric that season and put up 104 catches, 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns.
The odds of Hopkins duplicating that performance nearly four seasons later is reasonably low, but if anyone knows how to put Hopkins in the best position to succeed it is Kelly.
Hopkins knows Vrabel is a good coach and he has said so himself, but knowing that he also has someone he can rely on to get him the ball and know where he can do his job the best has to be something that crosses his mind during the decision making process.
The Titans would give themselves a much better shot at maximizing the last year of Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill's contracts if they add a true NFL-level receiver to their current group. A glaring hole on the roster could turn into a relative strength.
Tim Kelly's involvement with Hopkins during their Houston days may not play a big factor in Hopkins' decision after all, but if there is even a shred of a chance that it could push things in their favor, they have to throw it on the table during the meeting.
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