Coming off a 4-13 season, the Cardinals will begin a new regime and look to be closer to rebuilding than being a surefire playoff contender. Kyler Murray may also miss a chunk of the season due to his ACL rehab.
These factors may influence the team’s decision with its top wide receiver. DeAndre Hopkins continued his dominant run upon being traded in 2020, but injuries marred his 2021 slate and a suspension impacted his chance to bounce back last year. The suspension has also changed Hopkins’ through-2024 contract. The six-game PED ban voided Hopkins’ no-trade clause, Joel Corry of CBS Sports writes.
This stands to be relevant soon. The Cardinals received inquiries on Hopkins ahead of last year’s trade deadline, and a January report indicated the former All-Pro is a strong candidate to be moved this year. Hopkins’ monster extension calls for a $30.75MM cap hit this year. Only Tyreek Hill carries a larger cap figure. Despite Murray signing a $46.1MM-AAV deal last summer, no Cardinal besides Hopkins is in line to carry a cap number north of $18MM this year.
Upon acquiring Hopkins via trade, Arizona gave him an outlier extension in September 2020. The two-year, $54MM re-up — which ended up impacting Hill and Davante Adams‘ extensions down the line — tacked on years to Hopkins’ previous Texans deal but gave him $42.75MM guaranteed at signing. The extension years begin in 2023, but another team could well become responsible for the contract before Week 1.
The Cards included the no-trade clause in the pact, making Hopkins, 30, one of just a handful of players to have such a clause. The team also included void language in the event of a suspension for Larry Fitzgerald, Corry adds, though the future Hall of Famer never ended up being suspended or traded. Arizona’s latest wideout on the Hall of Fame radar may run into both scenarios. Suspensions commonly void guarantees, but Hopkins’ ban will cost him the right to veto a Cardinals move.
It would cost the Cardinals $22MM in dead money to trade Hopkins before June 1, with that number dropping to $11MM after that date. As the Bears and Falcons recently showed, new staffs care less about dead money attached to prior regimes’ decisions. The Cardinals following suit would stand to make Hopkins available soon. Adams, Hill and Amari Cooper were traded in March last year, with A.J. Brown moving in April. For what it’s worth, Hopkins has spoken with new Cards GM Monti Ossenfort at the team facility.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Hopkins amassed 1,407 yards during the most recent of those seasons (2020). He totaled eight touchdowns during an abbreviated 2021 season. In nine games last season, Hopkins bettered his 2021 yards-per-game average by reaching 79.7 per contest. No guaranteed money remains on his contract.
Welcome to contracts. Better have all your T’s crossed and I’s dotted or the group with the better lawyers will always win.
Deandre, you are a New England patriot
Wasn’t the suspension punishment enough??
Apparently no but DHop asked for it
Sounds like cruel punishment.
That would be great pairing him up with the guy who traded him from Houston.
In a year when the free agent receiver class is highlighted by Jakobi Meyers, this could be very good for Arizona.
Don’t worry, Kenny Golladay and Sterling Shepard will soon be available.
I checked out of curiosity, and indeed, in only 9 games, DeAndre Hopkins played more snaps this season than Golladay and Shepard combined. By a lot. I wonder if Golladay is even a role player ever again.
I thought the free agent receiver class was highlighted by OBJ (sarcasm intended).
I totally expect the Cardinals to use this opportunity to their advantage…and give him a monster extension. Lol
Can he mow grass or place sod?
2k style trade
DHop and Jalen Thompson for Jessie Bates (tag and trade) and Tee Higgins
Imagine the Bengals with Joe Burrow throwing to JMar Chase and DHop, with Joe Mixon and Tyler Boyd aswell good luck stopping that offence. Bates is likely going to leave in FA and your getting back a superstar in return
As for the Cardinals, Budda Baker and Jessie Bates as your two safeties that’s really tough. Higgins, Hollywood and Moore as your WR trio.
Get rid of DHop, still have pass catchers and have a better defence
Another idea
much simpler
DHop for DAndre Swift and the 82nd pick
Lions build a real deal offence for Jared Goff.
Jamaal Williams, DHop, Jameson Williams and Amon Ra. The line looks decent and with the 6, 18, 49 and 56 picks you can build the defence and grab a TE.
As for the Cardinals they bag a cheap young RB with good potential and a solid draft pick.
Why would the Cardinals want Bates if they’re retooling? The tag is for just under 15 million. Secondly, why wouldn’t the Bengals just use DHop’s money on a much younger Higgins? The Bengals would laugh at that trade proposal
Cards want Bates cause between him and Baker they’d have one of the best safety duos in the league and both guys aren’t old. Bengal want DHop simply because he is way better than Higgins.
Then from that Cards also get a replacement WR and Bengals a replacement safety
No way the Bengals would do that. If they are going to pay a WR $30M/year they’d much rather do that with Higgins who’s younger and already shown he’s capable of being a Superstar WR
I don’t think Higgins has shown ge can be a superstar WR just yet. He’s very good but we may have different opinions of superstar. He’s never had 80 receptions or 1200 yards yet. Adams, Hill, and Jefferson are what I’d consider superstar
And Hopkins to that list.
All part of Hops masterplan. Get suspended so he gets traded to the Jets and teams up with Rodgers.