DeAndre Hopkins recently agreed to a $26 million, 2-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. The star wide receiver’s NFL future was very much in interest especially since he was released by the Cardinals after the 2022 season. Although Hopkins pulled off the Titans deal with the help of an agent this time, he once used to represent himself while negotiating deals. A tactic that helped him save between $545,000 to $1.6 million early in his career.
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Hopkins reportedly negotiated the contract himself when dealing with the Cardinals after getting traded by the Houston Texans in 2020. Taking a Lamar Jackson route, who never actually had a proper agent, saved the five-time Pro Bowler 1 to 3 percent in agent fees.
DeAndre Hopkins turned heads with his Arizona Cardinals contract
Getting traded from the Texans, DeAndre Hopkins was considered one of the best receivers in the market and he certainly took full advantage of it. Striking the deal himself, the then 28-year-old became the highest-paid non-QB in the league. Hopkins received a 2-year contract extension worth $54.5 million accounting for $27.25 million annually.
Sources: The #AZCardinals are making star WR DeAndre Hopkins the highest paid non-QB ever, giving him a 2-year contract extension worth $54.5M in new money — $27.25M per year. Hopkins, who did the deal himself, gets $42.75M guaranteed at signing.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 8, 2020
Moreover, Hopkins’s business acumen secured him $42.75 million in guaranteed money. All of which he did without the help of an agent and in doing so he saved up to $1.6 million in agent fees.
DeAndre Hopkins has agreed to a two-year, $54.5M extension with the Arizona Cardinals, making him the highest paid non-QB ever (@RapSheet).
The best part?
Hopkins negotiated the contract himself, potentially saving between $545K-$1.6M in agent fees (Ex. 1-3%). pic.twitter.com/gTqFZE9xHI
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) September 8, 2020
Lamar Jackson, on the other hand, also had a similar tactic when negotiating his record-setting deal with the Ravens this year. However, the highest-paid quarterback took help from his mother, who acted as his manager during the entire negotiation process, which ultimately helped him save around $7.8 million in agent fees.
DeAndre Hopkins agrees on $26 million deal with the Tennessee Titans
The 2017 receiving touchdowns leader has recently agreed upon a fresh contract with the Tennessee Titans ahead of the 2023 season start. The deal came as a surprise to fans after hyping up a potential move to the Patriots and boasting good terms with HC Bill Belichick.
Hopkins bagged a two-year contract worth $26 million which can be worth up to $32 million including incentives. The star receiver can earn up to $3 million in incentives each year granted he fulfills three conditions, which are: 95 receptions, 1,050 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns in a single season which is worth $1 million each.
The Titans released veteran receiver, Robert Woods early this year which left a spot vacant. And who else better than DeAndre Hopkins himself to fill in the spot with Mike Vrabel as the HC and a jam-packed roster ready for a redemption season?
