BREAKING: Titans are finalizing a deal to send WR DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs in exchange for a 5th-round pick that can become a 4th round-pick. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/sLhv9F6JnY
The Kansas City Chiefs always find a way. With his receivers all in injured status, the champs have pulled off a trade to bring star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to catch balls from Patrick Mahomes.
According to Ian Rapaport, Hopkins will be traded to the Chiefs for a 5th-round pick that can become a 4th. Additional details are unknown. The Chiefs will take on the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday.
The DeAndre Hopkins saga has written its newest chapter. After months of speculation that the Cardinals could trade or otherwise offload the veteran wide receiver, the Cardinals finally cut him. As a result, the Cardinals will eat $22.9 million in dead cap and Hopkins will become an unrestricted free agent. Hopkins had initially missed the start of the Cardinals’ OTAs as his status remained in limbo.
After serving a six-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy, Hopkins played in nine games last season. He racked up 757 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Cardinals went 4-13. He was traded to the Cardinals in 2020 by the Texans. In three seasons with the Cardinals, he recorded 2696 yards and 17 touchdowns. However, he will now be able to pursue the team of his choice.
Multiple Teams Interested In Hopkins
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 27: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after catching a touch down pass against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Hopkins’ sudden free agency has sparked a lot of interest around the league. Among the teams interested are the Bills, Patriots, and Ravens. Hopkins, who last rushed for 1000 yards in 2020, would find very different fortunes. He could be the final piece the Bills need in their near-Sisyphean quest to reach a Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Hopkins would bring a veteran calm to somewhat-embattled Mac Jones. However, the Ravens are an intriguing prospect given their already very full receiver room.
Meanwhile, social media has also floated the possibility of the Chiefs making a play for the veteran wideout. Like the Ravens, the Chiefs have a very full receiver room. However, the Chiefs are missing that X-factor standout downfield. As for the Cardinals, they will now roll with Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore, and 2023 third-round draft pick Michael Wilson. Recently, Hopkins gave an interview in which he listed the top quarterbacks he would like to play under. At the top of that list was the Bills’ Josh Allen as well as the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts. Where do you think Hopkins will land? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.
DeAndre Hopkins hinted at preferring the Chiefs and Bills as trade destinations during a new interview with CBS Sports’ Bryant McFadden on The Catch. While he didn’t vocalize his opinion, Hopkins displayed his thoughts on the matter with dramatic body language. He also seemed turned off by the idea of playing for either the Patriots or the Jets.
Hopkins also addressed his status in a tweet on Sunday. “Hopkins doesn’t want a raise,” he wrote in one post. The five-time Pro Bowler is set to earn $19.45 million in 2023, and $14.915 million in 2024.
DeAndre Hopkins With The Cardinals
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 13: Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on December 13, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 30-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
One team that McFadden didn’t ask Hopkins about joining was the Baltimore Ravens. Reports from earlier this week alleged that Lamar Jackson requested his team go out and acquire Hopkins as well as Odell Beckham Jr. While they successfully signed OBJ, trading for Hopkins may prove more difficult. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently revealed on Sportscenter that he believes the Cardinals are seeking a “Christian McCaffrey package” in return for Hopkins.
“[The Baltimore Ravens] have at least looked around at the luxury shopping, high-end wide receiver market, whether it’s Hopkins or like Denver’s Courtland Sutton,” Fowler said. “Uncertain whether they would pull the trigger on that sort of price point right now because it’s very high. But 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.” Hopkins’ Cardinals teammate, Budda Baker, also reportedly requested a trade from the organization
DeAndre Hopkins On Being Traded
DeAndre Hopkins’ tells us (sorta) where he wants to be traded to…
The New York Jets were rumored to have an interest in Odell Beckham Jr. However, Beckham has since landed in Baltimore with the Ravens. As the team awaits on the Aaron Rodgers saga to work itself out, they would like to bolster their receiving unit. It is now being reported that the Jets have an interest in free-agent DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins has been a star in both of his stops with Houston and Arizona. Adding Hopkins to an offense with Rodgers would send Jets fans’ hopes to the moon.
Hopkins has spent the last three seasons in Arizona. Now it seems as if the star receiver may be looking for a new home. When Hopkins first arrived in Arizona, many believed the team to be a Super Bowl favorite. However, now the Cardinals are looking at a rebuild after the recent firing of head coach Kliff Kingsbury. The Cardinals are beginning a new era. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that Hopkins is interested in a rebuild. The veteran receiver is ready to play for a winner. Obviously, the Cardinals are not the answer.
Last season, the Jets were seen as a team in the midst of a rebuild. Now they look like a team that is believing it could be Super Bowl or bust. Adding Aaron Rodgers to any team will make them instant contenders. However, that addition still has yet to be made by officials. Seemingly, it looks like the Packers aren’t that interested in making a quick decision. The Rodgers saga has seen many rumors hit the waves. But it still feels like the Packers legend will be in the Big Apple to start next season.
Having DeAndre Hopkins to throw to would be a sight for Rodgers. Rodgers has long been frustrated with how the Packers have handled bringing in weapons to the franchise. Hopkins could arguably be the biggest downfield threat to ever play with Rodgers. Hopes are already at a fever pitch with the New York Jets faithful. However, it could be best for the Jets fan base to temper their feelings until everything is official. If the Jets were to add Hopkins and Rodgers, would that make them a Super Bowl Favorite? Give us your thoughts on the potential moves in the comments. For the latest NFL news, stay locked in right here with HNHH.
