While DeAndre Hopkins‘ demands for an extension or raise may have led to his ouster from Houston, it doesn’t sound like the star wideout is making the same requests from his new team. In a fascinating profile of Hopkins, Sports Illustrated’s Greg Bishop writes that the receiver isn’t “demanding” a new contract from the Cardinals.
However, the two sides are indeed discussing a new deal. In fact, there’s belief that Hopkins’ next contract could make him the “the highest-paid nonquarterback in the NFL.” That title currently belongs to Bears linebacker Khalil Mack, who’s earning $23.5MM per season. Falcons receiver Julio Jones is the highest-paid player at his position, taking home $22MM per season.
Back in 2017, Hopkins signed a lucrative five-year extension that includes $49MM in guaranteed money. Unfortunately for the star wideout, that contract soon became antiquated, and the remaining three seasons on the deal are non-guaranteed. In terms of average annual value, Hopkins currently ranks eighth among wide receivers.
Still, while his contract may be outdated, that’s not as much of a concern now that he’s playing for a new team. As Hopkins told Bishop, he had been looking to move on from the Texans for some time, and his desire for a trade was mostly due to his lack of a relationship with Texans head coach Bill O’Brien (who, Hopkins believes, was trying to trade him for more than a year). The receiver understood that “asking for a little raise would lead to the outcome…that I wanted.”
That premonition ended up becoming a reality. Back in March, the Texans sent Hopkins and a fourth-rounder to Arizona for running back David Johnson, a second-rounder, and a fourth-rounder.
Surprise surprise surprise
He isn’t demanding a new contract because he is currently in discussions to become the highest paid non-qb in the NFL- so in theory he is already on his way to getting it. Let’s see what happens if the Cardinals decide they won’t discuss that anymore and want him to play out a year or two more of his contract….
AZ better learn quick that this isn’t Oklahoma. If the QB gets sacked another 45+ times, it won’t matter how many WR’s they have. Didn’t they draft 3 WR’s last year & still need more?
The Redbirds are making some very good moves while staying under the radar of most teams. That terrible OL is really the only thing stopping them from having a breakout season. If they manage to fix the problems there, the rest of the league better watch out.
If they select a top-notch tackle with the 8th pick and shore up their tight end coverage, I could see Arizona challenging for a wild card spot. Unfortunately, they also play in the toughest division in football
They don’t really feature a Tight end in their offense.
I said “coverage,” indicating their weak defense against the position
Until last season they had beaten the Niners 8 straight times. I was expecting Kingsbury to be completely over his head but he actually did ok in his rookie season as HC. Both he and Murray are bound to improve with a year’s experience under their belt and I too think a wild card spot is possible.
Highest paid non quarterback …. Arizona is going to be regretting giving him that contract, if they do. No way he lives up to that type of money and committing that much to one guy hardly ever seems to work out. More often then not it usually messes up a teams cap room if anything.
You look at the Bears and Raiders who gave out huge deals to Mack and Donald and they are pretty cap strapped. Same goes with the Falcons and Jones.
Yeah teams should get cheap when it comes to paying the best players at their respective positions. That works out well too.
Cause offering a 10-15 mill a year deal instead of a 24 mill a year deal is “cheap”.
How will Hopkins ever manage to live on 10-15 mill a year. He will have to make some tough financial decisions and really live on a budget!
He will have to get a porsche instead of a lambo. Have to cut his cleaning lady back from 7 days to 7 days. It’ll be tough but I think he can do it.
But we all know that isn’t how this works. By your logic all athletes should take like a million a year and be satisfied because that allows them to live well. Lord knows the billionaires earning the profits from athletes physical talent are all living frugally and never trying to increase their earni fs
Lmao.
Me: players should take fair deals so teams can stay competitive.
You: HoW dArE yOu ExPeCt ThEm To EaRn PeAnUtS!
Me: Hopkins should be adequately compensated at 10-15 mill a year.
You: HoW dARe YoU eXpEcT hIm To MaKe 1 MiLl A yEaR!!
Me: (obvious sarcasm) yeah how could Hopkins ever live on 10-15 mill a year vs. 24 mill a year oh the humanity!
You: YoU ExPeCt ThEm To LiVe On 1 MiLl?!?!?!?!?!?!
All jokes aside. Hopkins should be compensated adequately. NFL contract should be fully guaranteed.
PLEAse lOok uP WhAt reVenuE meAns.
And the Raiders didn’t give a deal to Mack. They traded him. And as a Raider fan, let me say, our organization does everything the right way lmao
My bad meant Rams. Guess it auto corrected to raiders. I said bears and raiders. Meant bears and Rams.
Well, I have to agree with dynamite on this one. It’s hard enough to build a winning program when you can afford top talent but it’s significantly harder when you consistently limit yourself to a Walmart budget.