DeAndre Hopkins trade market: How realistic is wide receiver’s team wish list?

[Buddy]

DeAndre Hopkins trade market: How realistic is wide receiver’s team wish list?

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[HipKat]

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins returned to the spotlight this week after he was a no-show at Arizona Cardinals organized team activities but participated in a high-profile podcast interview that renewed interest about his future.

The five-time Pro Bowl wideout’s decision to skip the first week of offseason practices comes months after the Cardinals reportedly shopped him to other NFL teams leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. Arizona’s efforts proved fruitless, but Hopkins’ absence this week, and an interview in which he shared his picks for the five quarterbacks with whom he would most like to play (omitting teammate Kyler Murray), only further stoked speculation that Hopkins could be on the move.

The Cardinals are starting over with first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon after four unsuccessful seasons under Kliff Kingsbury. The talented but inconsistent and oft-injured Murray is rehabbing from a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee. And Arizona is in the midst of a retool/rebuild on the fly after loading up on future draft picks and looking to unload hefty contracts (Hopkins’ $29.9 million salary-cap hit is the largest on the team).

Hopkins told the “I Am Athlete” podcast, hosted by former NFL star Brandon Marshall, that he is training in Toronto to ensure he best positions himself for an impactful 11th NFL season. He didn’t classify his absence as a holdout, and Gannon said he isn’t concerned about Hopkins’ absence during this voluntary period of the offseason program. However, the uncertainty persists in part because of how Hopkins, in his interview with Marshall, vacillated between speaking as if he intends to remain with the Cardinals and sounding as if he would like a change of scenery.

Regardless of the desires of Hopkins or the Cardinals, the wide receiver might have to stay put for now. Front-office executives around the league believe it’s unlikely that any team would pull the trigger on a deal this offseason for a number of reasons, which include Hopkins’ contract terms, the belief that he wants a new multiyear deal and the salary-cap situations of teams that would fit the receiver’s criteria for a desired destination.

Hopkins’ frustrations with the Cardinals are understandable. He wanted stability with Houston and then Arizona yet has endured frequent changes at both general manager and head coach.

Hopkins said he would like to play with a “QB who loves the game, a QB who brings everybody on board with him and pushes not just himself but everybody around him.” An intentional shot at Murray (who is frequently criticized for a lack of maturity and dedication) or no? Hard to say. Hopkins later praised Murray as a fierce competitor and his “brother.” But he listed Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson as the top five quarterbacks with whom he would like to play.

Hopkins also said he wanted to play for a team with a great defense because defense wins championships.

So, the overall wish list: great GM and coach, great quarterback and supporting defense. Welcome to the club.

But here’s the problem.

Hopkins, set to make $19.45 million in 2023 and $15.915 million in 2024, doesn’t possess a cap-friendly deal. The teams he listed lack the financial flexibility to take on a massive contract. Kansas City and Buffalo both have just more than $1 million in cap space right now. Philadelphia, Baltimore and the Chargers each have roughly $12 million in cap space.

Also, Baltimore already committed $15 million to Odell Beckham Jr. That basically kills the Ravens as an option for Hopkins.

Meanwhile, New England, a team rumored to have inquired about Hopkins at some point this offseason, has just more than $12 million in cap space and an unstable quarterback situation to boot.

Hopkins could consider a contract restructure to lower his cap figure if that would help his chances of playing for a contender. But Hopkins played in just 10 games in 2021 and only nine in 2022, missing six last season due to suspension. Teams would oppose the idea of committing long-term money to a wide receiver on the wrong side of 30 who missed time with injuries in each of the last two seasons.

There are teams with more cap space but also unproven quarterback situations. Such teams aren’t any closer to contention than is Arizona. Hopkins also told Marshall he doesn’t want to play with a young quarterback because at this point in his career, he’s in win-now mode.

All of the above lead league insiders to believe that no Hopkins trade is coming any time soon. Six front-office executives said they have heard no chatter about teams in pursuit of Hopkins. Two predicted that Hopkins would likely have to wait until the November trade deadline, when teams could prove more desperate for a move.

And so, as badly as Hopkins wants to win as his window of high-level football begins to shrink, dreams of a trade seemingly are just that: a dream. His remaining course of action may involve a patient approach and hopes that Murray can recover, play at a high level and help the Cardinals exceed expectations in the coming seasons.

[f8ta1ity54]

I think the only way it happens is if Hopkins is released.

[theAteam]

4 hours ago, f8ta1ity54 said:

I think the only way it happens is if Hopkins is released.

^^^^

[Greg]

4 hours ago, f8ta1ity54 said:

I think the only way it happens is if Hopkins is released.

Ask and you will receive.

 

[bv]

Get it done!!!!!

[f8ta1ity54]

Alright Beane, make it happen!

[HipKat]

I know the money is tough but Jeeez, PLEASE, do this one thing. Make this happen.

I don't normally get ga-ga over any free agents, but this is a game changer. Diggs/Hopkins as Wide outs with Davis & Shakir, plus Kincaid/Knox opens makes our passing game lethal!!

[Toofast80]

Gonna be tough for Beane to work some magic for Dhop 😔! I hope there is some way 🤞, but I won’t hold my breath.

[HipKat]

1 minute ago, Toofast80 said:

Gonna be tough for Beane to work some magic for Dhop 😔! I hope there is some way 🤞, but I won’t hold my breath.

lol I hope like 5 guys got emails from Beane yesterday titled "Restructure"

[Toofast80]

4 minutes ago, HipKat said:

lol I hope like 5 guys got emails from Beane yesterday titled "Restructure or else”

👍