The Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl without a star wide receiver, but they could reportedly make an elite offense even scarier by acquiring DeAndre Hopkins.
NFL insider Benjamin Albright told PHNX Cardinals that Kansas City is the "primary suitor" for Hopkins. He doesn't know the draft compensation the Cardinals would receive, but he said it's more likely they get a second-round pick than a first.
After the 2022 season, theScore's Jordan Schultz reported that the Cardinals plan to trade Hopkins this offseason.
Arizona hired a new general manager and head coach after a disappointing four-win season, and Hopkins is set to make $19.45 million (with a $30.75 million cap hit) in 2023. The Cardinals could seek a clean slate by moving the three-time All-Pro wideout, who turns 31 in June.
Hopkins began his Cardinals career by tallying 1,407 yards and six touchdowns in 2020. However, multiple lower body injuries limited him to 10 games in 2021, and he served a six-game suspension to start the 2022 season for violating the NFL's PED policy.
Yet he remains an impact player when on the field. Hopkins totaled 474 receiving yards in six full games with quarterback Kyler Murray last season.
Now imagine what he can accomplish when catching passes from Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs flourished without a star replacement for Tyreek Hill, but they could still benefit by solidifying the position this offseason. JuJu Smith-Schuster is a free agent after garnering 78 catches for 933 yards on a one-year deal. The depth chart features several talented question marks in Mecole Hardman, Kadarius Toney, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Adding Hopkins could be great news for Kansas City, but terrible for all opposing defenses.
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#AZCardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins admitted on @PatMcAfeeShow that he’s “been hearing a lot of trade talks.” On that subject, my understanding is if a trade did happen, he’d be flexible on the last two years of his contract – rather than shoot for a top-of-the-market deal.
Wouldn’t be opposed to this at all. It would really come down to cost. I know Arizona gave up a trash RB for him. Can the Chiefs offer CEH and a late round pick for him? Also how does incentive laden contracts affect the cap? Perhaps we sign him to a low base salary and load up on incentives. Just throwing ideas out there. [Reply]
Originally Posted by chiefforlife:
And there it is! Ive been saying this all along. He has NOT demanded a new contract.
Of course it depends on where he is going. He wants the Ring OR the money.
He has been on shitty teams his whole career, he only has a few years left to solidify his legacy. If its the Chiefs, he will make the money work. If its a shitty team might as well get the money.
BUT things have changed now. With our glaring need of a LT, this deal is very unlikely, unfortunately.
Originally Posted by Couch-Potato:
sounds like NE and NYG are also interested, and he voided his no trade clause. That's not good for us, was hoping he'd prefer KC and choose his destination.
Originally Posted by htismaqe:
Geno was a special case. That one was just way over the top.
Sure, we can get these guys once we hit 1000 posts. But when a guy has 25K posts dedicated to him, it tends to scare them off. LOL
So I guess the Geno Smith backers get a consolation prize this year. He proved he could play. Doesn't mean he would have worked out in KC but we at least know he does have the tools to be a good QB. [Reply]