The Arizona Cardinals recently turned heads by releasing veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Though Hopkins has yet to sign with a new team, many NFL observers thought the Cardinals could have landed something in a trade package rather than releasing him in exchange for nothing.
First-year coach Jonathan Gannon spoke this week about what led to the trade, and he defended the organization’s actions, saying it was in the best interests of the team to move on from Hopkins.
“Yeah, just all the factors that were in play, we just felt that it was the best thing for the team to play with who we have,” Gannon said on Thursday, according to Eric Edholm of NFL.com
The release of a playmaker like Hopkins hasn’t fazed him.
“Yeah, it’s really no big deal to me,” Gannon said. “We were operating on the premise that he was going to be here, and now we’re not. So, we’re moving on.”
As for what remains of the receiving corps, Gannon likes what he has seen from those that remain.
“I’m very pleased with our receivers right now,” Gannon said. “If you carve out a role for yourself, we’ll use you in that role.”
That corps includes veterans Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore, Greg Dortch, Zach Pascal, and 2023 third-round pick Michael Wilson.
[NFL.com]
