After the Texans received extensive scrutiny for the haul they received for three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins, it became known the accomplished wide receiver sought either an extension or a raise. Three years remain on Hopkins’ deal, which makes that process trickier.
Hopkins’ new team has addressed this situation with the seven-year veteran. Cardinals chairman Michael Bidwill and GM Steve Keim had engaged in conversations with Hopkins about his contract, ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss notes (on Twitter).
When Hopkins signed a five-year, $81MM extension in August 2017, he became the NFL’s highest-paid wideout. As is the case with most positional markets, the receiver salary landscape has changed since. On a market now topped by Julio Jones‘ $22MM-per-year deal, Hopkins’ $16.2MM-AAV contract sits ninth among wideouts. Amari Cooper, who has yet to land on an All-Pro first or second team, just signed to a $20MM-per-year deal with $60MM guaranteed. Hopkins received $49MM guaranteed when he signed. The Cardinals have Hopkins under contract through 2022; no guarantees remain on that deal.
Kyler Murray‘s rookie contract makes veteran extensions easier for the Cards; the Texans taking David Johnson‘s deal off Arizona’s payroll helps as well. Teams are not big on redoing deals with three years remaining, but the Cardinals are in a position to accommodate their prized trade acquisition.
Hopkins is set to count just $12.5MM against Arizona’s cap this season, and his cap charges over the remainder of his deal do not exceed $14MM. This deal obviously represents a bargain for the Cardinals; how the sides proceed will be a key offseason matter for the franchise.
It never ends…the ego’s on these guys is insane. Whatever he gets as a raise this year, he will want more again in two years. Don’t sign 5 year extension if you constantly want to be the highest paid guy, it doesn’t work that way. Someone put these fools in check!
Totally agree!
Agreed. Agree to a contract only to hold out because you want an additional 5 million per year. Go year to year and take the risk of injuring yourself but why does the team give you insurance Incase you get injury and make you highest paid. Think this tactic will work at my job?
If your employer values you as much as his employer does him, then yes this will work for you.
Yeah, ordinarily, I side with the players because the owners make obscene money and the contracts aren’t guaranteed. I’m torn on this one, though, because there’s three full years remaining. They already made him the highest paid receiver in the league. Salaries always increase going forward, so maybe have a little foresight and sign a shorter deal if you’re going to be disgruntled so quickly.
Then is it okay to cut a non productive player with 3 years left?
Re Work his deal continues this years salary as it stands at 12.5 mil and then
Give him 23 mil each year guaranteed for 3 more years (3/69)
Meaning he gets his extension and is the highest paid WR but you get him cheap this year.
He signed 5/81 in 2017, and your really giving him a 4/81.5 in 2020 which secured him for 4 years until he’s 30.
Hopkins is Julio Jones Jr. Always whining about being paid.