MARCH 19: In an update on Hopkins’ situation, veteran reporter Mike Jurecki notes that the five-time Pro Bowler’s willingness to adjust his contract does not necessarily guarantee that he would be open to taking a pay cut (Twitter link). Doing so would likely be needed to make an acquiring team more amenable to a trade, and could be hinted at by his reported lack of desire to reset the WR market on his next deal. With many members of this year’s free agent class having agreed to new deals, it will be interesting to monitor how much attention Hopkins and the Cardinals get on the matter of a potential trade, something which will be affected by his contract status.
MARCH 8: The Amari Cooper, Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill trades occurred within two weeks of each other last March. With teams staring at a mediocre free agent wide receiver class this year, it should be expected some movement will take place as clubs prepare to make upgrades.
DeAndre Hopkins remains the top name believed to be available. Mentioned in trade rumors for several weeks, Hopkins is obviously hearing the rumblings about his Arizona departure. Jonathan Gannon stopped short of guaranteeing Hopkins would be a Cardinal in 2023, and the former All-Pro pass catcher offered a similar status update Wednesday.
“I’ve been hearing a lot of trade talks, but I take things day for day,” Hopkins said during a Pat McAfee Show appearance (video link). “I don’t look forward for the future, I live in the present moment. Right now, the Arizona Cardinals is the team and roster that I’m on. I’m preparing myself for whatever the future holds.”
Some changes have occurred with Hopkins since he was last traded, and more may be coming. Shortly after being traded from the Texans to the Cardinals, Hopkins went through an agent-less negotiation. The 30-year-old standout confirmed Wednesday (via AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban, on Twitter) he has since hired an agent. Hopkins’ $27MM-per-year extension has two years remaining, and it might take a contract adjustment for the Cardinals to move his deal. Hopkins is set to make $19.45MM in base salary this year.
Although a trade opens the door to what would be Hopkins’ fourth NFL contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (via Twitter) he is not believed to be seeking a top-market price. Hopkins plans to be flexible regarding his deal’s final two years, which could open the door to more possibilities on the trade front. Hopkins’ trade value has taken a hit, given the injuries and PED suspension that took a previously durable player out of action for much of the past two seasons. Even ahead of an age-31 season, he should still generate considerable attention. A trade might not be far off.
With the thrice-traded Brandin Cooks the only other name steadily mentioned in trade rumors at receiver, Hopkins is expected to fetch the Cardinals a decent price. The team is believed to have worked out trade parameters that involve a second-round pick and change going back to Arizona. A number of teams are interested in Cooks, so it would stand to reason Hopkins is garnering similar interest. Hopkins’ 2022 PED suspension voided the no-trade clause in his contract, providing the Cardinals more flexibility as well.
I admit that I did not think Adams and Hill’s numbers would be as goods as they were when they changed teams. Even Cooper had a decent season.
Now, on Hopkins, I’d take him. Still seems to have plenty in the tank.
I want him on the Bears so bad
Who would throw him the ball though?
QB coach?
At least the QB coach can read a Defense, call the assignments, and call the play. Hopkins and Ertz were brutally effected when Justin Pugh went down. Pugh was keeping that offense a float making the calls before the knee injury.
I doubt Hopkins would have much interest in joining a non contender, especially after seeing how reluctant the Bears were to reward Allen Robinson for his production.
Judging from his last season with the Bears and first two with LA, it looks like not paying him was the right decision.
I’d take Hopkins, but WRs don’t have a great track record for maintaining production after 30 years old. He must be had at the right price. Asking for more than a 2nd and you can get lost. Even a 2nd is bad enough.
Hello Cowboys. Jerrah running out of time.
I wouldn’t touch him for that kind of money, as his last couple seasons have looked pretty pedestrian.
He said he would adjust his numbers. He needs to get permission to seek a trade pick a few teams he wants to play for and want him. Ask them what contract they would be comfortable with. Then go from there. He should want to take a bit of a drop to get out of there and play for a contender.
9th in WR receiving yds per game since 2020. That’s more than DK, Ceedee, K-Allen, Deebo…the dude is still VERY good.
Based on 17 games, Hopkins would have had 120 receptions for 1400 yards. Keep in mind that he had backup quarterbacks throwing to him the last 5 games he played
You must also believe in the tooth fairy…..he was targeted 96 times in 2022 and has never had 120 receptions in a given year….woulda-shoulda-coulda the bottom line is he’s 30 and most probably had his best years behind him regardless of who’s throwing him the ball….still a productive guy, but not at the salary he’s making and as far as him being willing to “adjust his numbers”…..its always about the money….the only way he’d probably take less is if he got multiple guaranteed years tacked on which nobody is going to do….maybe except for Jerry Jones LOL!
It matters who is throwing him the ball
I think that you also must consider what the Cardinals’ numbers look like when Hopkins is down. Murray relied heavily on Hopkins to bail him out of a lot of plays. Hopkins can defeat most defenders in contested catches, but I would imagine that having a legitimate number two or a more distributive offense would give him better opportunities than carrying the load on his own.
Not that I disagree that age is always a reason to be wary, even in the case of a great like Hopkins.
Patriots. Hopkins preaches the do your job mantra and the Pats obviously have a need. I think they trade a 2nd for him
Who would throw him the ball though?
Oh, Belichick was just in the background of this “Do Your Job” thing… Brady should’ve been the main character!
I thought it said he wanted to go to a contender?
KC should trade for him just so I can read the pages of furious rants it would cause lol