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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Originally Posted by Indian Chief:
You're probably right, which makes me curious what they were asking for. I can't imagine a team wouldn't have coughed up a 4th.
You run into this issue though, what if the teams he wanted to go to had no interest in his deal. Then you risk sending him to some shithole and that looks bad for signing players in the future.
They may have thought it was better to just release him so when they go to sign FA's in 2 years they don't have to try to reassure a player "if this doesn't work we won't send you to the worst team in the league" [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
You run into this issue though, what if the teams he wanted to go to had no interest in his deal. Then you risk sending him to some shithole and that looks bad for signing players in the future.
They may have thought it was better to just release him so when they go to sign FA's in 2 years they don't have to try to reassure a player "if this doesn't work we won't send you to the worst team in the league"
I seriously doubt that if they got an offer they liked it would have mattered at all what team Hopkins wanted to go to. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
No picks, he's already getting paid by Arizona so we could get him cheap? Well, yeah.
I never said I didn't like the player.
Don’t think Dhop is getting any $$$ from Cardinals now that he was released. He is still counting against their cap only because his signing bonus/roster bonus was spread out, but that $$$ was paid up front to him already. As of now, Dhop is getting no $$$ for the 2023 season until he signs with new team. I’m pretty sure about this, but not 100%. [Reply]
Originally Posted by kevrunner:
Don’t think Dhop is getting any $$$ from Cardinals now that he was released. He is still counting against their cap only because his signing bonus/roster bonus was spread out, but that $$$ was paid up front to him already. As of now, Dhop is getting no $$$ for the 2023 season until he signs with new team. I’m pretty sure about this, but not 100%.
My understanding is the contract is guaranteed, but maybe it's not. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Megatron96:
With DeAndre, the SB repeat is a lock. Keep him another year, and the three-peat is a lock.
I'm sorry but please stop. There's no such thing as a "lock" in the NFL. Please stop with this shit...It's like you guys have never watched an NFL season play out. Last year it was the equally dumb as fuck "It's OK if we don't compete for a title It's a rebuild year!!" [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
I think they tried and basically got no real offers.
Think the problem was his contract. Guessing the Chiefs and Bill's wanted him at the right price. But not willing to give up anything for him and an inflated salary. Rebuilding teams probably rather have someone who has not essentially burned bridges with now 2 teams [Reply]