The Chiefs were reportedly one of the most active teams looking into former Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this year. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Kansas City had received permission to talk with the now-free agent earlier in the offseason and spoke with him before the draft.
The biggest hurdle for the Chiefs, as it was for any team Arizona spoke to, was having to take on Hopkins’s existing contract. If a trade were going to take place, Kansas City wanted a much lower price, meaning the Cardinals would have to take on some of Hopkins’s contract in the trade.
The Chiefs were fairly big spenders this offseason after making big deals for tackle Jawaan Taylor and defensive end Charles Omenihu, resulting in the exhaustion of most of their salary cap. After their most recent $3MM deal for tackle Donovan Smith, the Chiefs are 31st in the league in available cap space, according to OvertheCap.com.
While adding Hopkins is on anyone’s wish list, except perhaps Arizona’s, Kansas City also doesn’t seem desperate to add any more wide receivers. Despite losing JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman to free agency, the team has real confidence in Kadarius Toney‘s potential. They return Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore and drafted SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice in the second round to compete for snaps with the starters.
Here are a few more rumors surrounding the still young free agency of DHop:
- The Chiefs were not the only team that the Cardinals struggled to find equal ground with on a trade. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, who spoke on the Pat McAfee Show, Arizona was working to trade the veteran wideout up until the day before the first round of the NFL draft. The Cardinals hit snags, though, as each discussion required handling of draft pick compensation and salary adjustments that would require Arizona to take on some of Hopkins’s salary. In the end, they opted to take the hit in the salary cap while ultimately saving cash.
- ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler was one of the first to release a list of best fits for Hopkins in his newfound free agency. According to Fowler, the Bills, Chiefs, Jets, Cowboys, and Saints are the teams to watch out for in the initial race. A Stefon Diggs-Hopkins-Gabriel Davis trio could be just what’s needed to put the Bills in a Super Bowl, but the team only has around $2.4MM in cap space. The Jets are a bit better at $6.9MM of cap space (still far under the $19.45MM Hopkins was set to make in Arizona this year), but the team is working to create more cap room by restructuring large contracts like those of linebacker C.J. Mosley and wide receiver Corey Davis. They nearly had Odell Beckham Jr. before the Ravens swept in and nabbed him themselves. The Cowboys are set on defense and have some strong weapons on offense. Adding Hopkins to a receiving corps that contains CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks could be deadly, and they’ve got $9MM of cap space to work with. The Saints have missed having a star wideout as they’ve dealt with the durability issues of Michael Thomas. Hopkins would be a nice veteran mentor for youngsters Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, and New Orleans has the most cap space of the above teams at $13.6MM. Fowler also lists the Browns, Giants, Falcons, and Patriots as wild-card teams to look out for.
- Speaking of the Patriots, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports that, now that the contract isn’t nearly as much of a hurdle, New England is more likely to pursue Hopkins. Hopkins reportedly had a bit of a rocky relationship with Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien when the two were in Houston together, but adding Hopkins would immediately provide quarterback Mac Jones with a WR1. Hopkins would be teaming up with Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, and last year’s second-round pick Tyquan Thornton to try and mount an upgraded New England passing attack.
So that many teams are really interested in an oft injured and suspended prima Dona WR? I don’t think so.
The NFL has always been a league of copycats. The teams that couldn’t land OBJ as a prima donna will pursue this guy instead.
Going to be interesting to see where he lands. When he’s motivated he can be a formidable talent. I’m sure he’s going to want to get some of his tattered reputation back if possible. If he takes less money to fit in with the Chiefs then that would be something to see.
+1, I see the Chiefs, Bills and, of course, Dallas being top dogs in the “can your picture…” scenario.
What’s spooky is the Cardinals dropped him like he was heavy.
I see him signing with the Bengals and he won’t have to take a pay it, btw Chiefs have less than $1 million in cap space and are still waiting to re-sign Chris Jones.
They already have two #1s in Chase and Higgins they’re gonna have to figure out how to pay.
There are still cap moves that will be made by cash strapped teams. June 1st is a key date. Guys will be cut and resigned for less or cut entirely if they don’t want to take one. Some guys will find jobs elsewhere. I’m quite sure anybody who wants him will come up with the cap space they need. Plus the Chiefs are basically a lock for extra playoff money so that would be a salary perk right there. On top of what the Cardinals are paying him.
Sign for the minimum with KC since you’re still getting paid. Get a ring and sign elsewhere next year a La OBJ
Not mentioned but him going to Baltimore would be crazy.
Lamar and Dobbins in the running game, Hopkins and OBJ as the two lead receivers plus Mark Andreas with Bateman and Flowers as depth with a good o line and defence.
Doubt it happens but think it could put them over the top.
They’d still have to fend off Cincy and Pittsburgh in the division round-robin.
Wouldn’t be worried with the Steelers.
No QB and shaky o line
And as far as weapons go
Hopkins OBJ and Andrews > Johnson Robinson and Freiermuth
Pickens over Bateman and Harris over Dobbins sure, but what Dobbins lacks in production Lamar makes up for in his running game.
Hopkins isn’t getting anywhere near New England. This prima donna is only going to a team that is a lock for the play-offs.
Plus he has no interest in a reunion with BOB
He’d probably sign with New England to keep the press from reporting that the Cheatriots got caught (again). =)
DHop is nowhere near the prima Dona most of these comments claim, wtf are you guys talking about? Didn’t want to play with a quarterback who takes call of duty more seriously than NFL games seems reasonable
Larry Brown Sports has an article today that he sat out the last 2 games intentionally. Steroids and quitting on his last team? Wouldn’t touch him.
The Jets lol