Rumors: Cardinals releasing Hopkins

The NFL world is now living another buzz around the league rumors involving an iconic and veteran player as the Arizona Cardinals might be releasing WR DeAndre Hopkins. Actually, they are trying to get rid of him but they want first to try a trade. But they will probably have to lower their expectations.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cardinals are looking for a “Christian McCaffrey package” in exchange for their star WR. If this is really what they want, clearly is an insane request. Hopkins is a great player at the end of his career and is not the same as he was anymore.

For those who don’t remember, when the 49ers acquired Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers, they sent a lot of draft picks in exchange. It was a 2023 second-round pick, a 2023 third-round pick, a 2023 fourth-round pick and a 2024 fifth-round pick. According to the reports, that’s what the Cardinals are looking for in a trade.

“Hopkins, the issue is the compensation. Talking to other teams, they say that Arizona has wanted a second-round pick and more, maybe even as high as like a Christian McCaffrey package. We’re talking second-, third-, fourth-round picks. They will probably have to come off that to deal Hopkins, who has got $19 million in salary due to him. So, you still have teams like the Bills and the Chiefs and big-ticket teams that are at least looking, window shopping at potential options at receiver.” said Fowler, about what the Ravens heard from the Cardinals on a potential deal.

DeAndre Hopkins

The 31-year-old WR would most likely have to lower his numbers if he wants to leave Arizona. He is expected to cost more than $30 million on Arozona’s salary cap this season, and this might be the reason for them wanting to trade him away.

Drafted in 2013 by the Houston Texans, with the no. 27 overall pick in the first round, coming from Clemson University, Hopkins is entering his 11th season now. After seven years with the Texans and three with the Cardinals, he has become one of the best WRs in the league.

Among his individual achievements, he has made it three times to the first-team All-Pro (2017, 2018, 2019), twice to the second-team All-Pro (2015 and 2020), five times to the Pro Bowl (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) and he was the league receiving TDs leader in 2017, with 13. In 10 years so far he has 145 games, 853 catches, 11,298 yards and 71 touchdowns.