In what was a rather surprising move, the Arizona Cardinals announced this week that they had released veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, making him a free agent eligible to sign with any team in the league. However, it looks like it might not be easy for Hopkins to find his next team.
As NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated explains, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills were the only teams that had “substantive” trade discussions with Arizona about Hopkins, but neither one would be likely to sign him “under current circumstances.”
“• The Chiefs and Bills were the only teams to have substantive trade talks with Arizona.
• As was the case with Kansas City, contract was the issue for Buffalo.
• KC made progress, but @OBJ’s deal ($15M base) more or less blew that progress up,” Breer said in a tweet.
As for where this goes next, I'd say the price will dictate that. Under current circumstances, unlikely KC or Buffalo go get him. If his price drops (both teams offered incentive-heavy deals), then … maybe.
(Both KC and Buffalo talked directly to Hopkins, and liked him.)
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 27, 2023
“As for where this goes next, I’d say the price will dictate that. Under current circumstances, unlikely KC or Buffalo go get him. If his price drops (both teams offered incentive-heavy deals), then … maybe. (Both KC and Buffalo talked directly to Hopkins, and liked him.),” Breer said in a follow-up tweet.
This is pretty brutal news for a receiver that was considered one of the league’s best not too long ago, and the NFL world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
Albert Breer on FA WR DeAndre Hopkins 👀
Some good news for the Patriots… https://t.co/SXnKAMRNOu pic.twitter.com/PQN258GcNL
— Dom (@DomDoesNFL) May 28, 2023
This is key. Chiefs & Bills both liked Hopkins but as @albertbreer says, appear "highly unlikely" to meet his asking price.
Creates an opening for #Jets who have the type of roster Hopkins claims to want (great QB & top defense) plus the ability to easily free up $ to pay him. https://t.co/sLWKiC9tD0
— Play Like A Jet (@Playlikeajet1) May 27, 2023
Good football player wants to be paid like a good football player. Not saying Hop doesn’t want to win, but it feels like we often talk ourselves into “Player A wants to win more than anything” & we forget money is often king. Tale as old as time#Bills #GoBills #BillsMafia https://t.co/A3XWCq09ie
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) May 27, 2023
This should tell you how arguably the top 2 AFC contenders view Hopkins. Neither wanted to touch him at $19 million. The idea that OBJ’s $15 million blew up talks isn’t exactly promising either. His market could come down of course but the league views him different than fans. https://t.co/OsOQ0giQtQ
— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) May 27, 2023
Detroit makes a ton of sense for Hopkins. They can offer him a good mix of salary, role, and opportunity to compete in the NFC. https://t.co/t89Kz9boLz
— Regression to the Mean (@RTMFantasy) May 27, 2023
As talked about earlier with @Show_DeRosa , KC made an offer but it wasn't in the ballpark financially Hopkins was looking for.
It appears Buffalo made a similar offer.
With either team budge?
I don't think KC will win a bidding war with anyone. https://t.co/N0yO4DliXs
— Bills Chat Podcast (@BillsChatPod) May 27, 2023
Hopkins will surely find a team before the start of the 2023 NFL season, but it might be at a lower price than he hopes.