The Cardinals released former All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins last week, and the former Texan is an intriguing free agent. He’ll be 31 next month, but he’s probably looking for one more big contract. These are the most realistic landing spots for Hopkins, keeping in mind that cap navigation would probably be necessary for all the teams to make it work.
5. New England Patriots
It should be noted that it might have been a ploy to drive up interest from other teams, but Hopkins posted a clip of the Patriots’ Super Bowl LI victory yesterday—for one reason or another, it was undoubtedly an intentional action. The respect Bill Belichick has for Hopkins has a player should be taken very seriously:
"I'm glad we only have to play you every four years."
The respect Bill Belichick has for @DeAndreHopkins 🙌#HardKnocks @AZCardinals — tonight 10pm ET on @HBOMax pic.twitter.com/ocdqJYsmXb
— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2022
But for the reasons why this partnership might not happen, Hopkins hasn’t been shy about sharing which teams and quarterbacks he’d like to play for, and Mac Jones and the Patriots have not been included to this point; and new Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien traded away Hopkins when with Houston. Overall, the Pats should not be counted out, though.
4. Baltimore Ravens
Perhaps the Ravens would’ve been the top landing spot for Hopkins if they didn’t already commit a big salary (on a one-year deal) to Odell Beckham Jr., but Lamar Jackson wanted Baltimore to get both OBJ and Hopkins this offseason—though they did also add first-rounder Zay Flowers and free-agent Nelson Agholor at the position. So it’s not totally out of the realm of possibility that they add Hopkins to the mix, too. Hopkins said he would be honored to play with the former NFL MVP.
DeAndre Hopkins … to the Ravens with Lamar Jackson!? 👀 #RavensFlock
Watch the full convo w/ @DeAndreHopkins 📺 → https://t.co/tNxT1neVsc pic.twitter.com/03BGUUlGr7
— I AM ATHLETE (@IAMATHLETEpod) May 26, 2023
3. New York Jets
The Jets are yet another team that have added plenty at receiver this offseason, including Mecole Hardman and former Aaron Rodgers teammates Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb. But New York is obviously going all-in on one or two years of Rodgers, so they’re probably at least discussing the possibility of also adding Hopkins—while perhaps keeping in mind that division rivals New England and Buffalo might also be interested. The Jets have shown they want to build a deep receiving group, and they can throw out an incredibly deep group of Garrett Wilson, Hopkins, Lazard, Hardman, and Cobb—likely parting ways with Corey Davis and Denzel Mims.
2. Buffalo Bills
After the news of Hopkins’ release, Bills pass rusher Von Miller put out this tweet:
👀
— Von Miller (@VonMiller) May 26, 2023
Now, the Bills were also hopeful about OBJ and that did not come to pass. However, despite battling more minor injuries and being suspended, Hopkins has at least been on the field to play a lot of football the past two seasons—and Buffalo might be more interested in him while considering KC’s potential interest in this particular player. Hopkins would want to play with Josh Allen, and the status of Stefon Diggs remains a bit mysterious with how last season ended.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The favorite to sign Hopkins should be the Chiefs. That is not to say that the Chiefs need the veteran receiver. They just won the Super Bowl last year and do not need a “true” No. 1 wide receiver with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid (and Travis Kelce). That said, if no one gives Hopkins the type of long-term contract he’s seeking—and that seems likely to be the case given contending teams that have filled WR needs via other avenues this offseason—a one-year pact with the defending champs makes a ton of sense. Hopkins can maybe rebuild his value before potentially getting a stronger two- or three-year deal next offseason.