The NFL news cycle received a bombshell today when it was announced that the Arizona Cardinals have decided to release wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins. Trade rumors had swirled around the former All-Pro for months after the Cardinals reportedly put him on the trade market earlier this offseason.
New head coach Jonathan Gannon was also confident that his star receiver would be in the lineup in Week 1. General manager Monti Ossenfort gave that some hope as he said that DeAndre Hopkins wouldn’t be traded.
Well, Ossenfort didn’t tell a lie; DeAndre Hopkins didn’t end up being traded. But, he will still be on a new team for the 2023 season and beyond following his release. He has already stated some of the teams he would like to land with, naming quarterbacks he would like to play with.
His list isn’t surprising, including Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen. All five quarterbacks are on teams that will contend for a championship and have stable front office situations, all of which DeAndre Hopkins is seeking. They should all be pursuing him now that he is hitting free agency.
While the New York Jets weren’t mentioned by DeAndre Hopkins as one of his potential landing spots, an NFL analyst did bring them up. Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap speculated if New York would be willing to offer DeAndre Hopkins the same kind of deal they were prepared to give Odell Beckham Jr. before he landed with the Baltimore Ravens.
Playing with Aaron Rodgers on the Jets would certainly be a draw. The Jets also look to have a sturdy front office situation with general manager Joe Douglas working in lockstep with head coach Robert Saleh.
However, it is easy to see why the Jets may not be overly appealing. They added a lot of players at the wide receiver position this offseason, bringing Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb over from the Green Bay Packers. Mecole Hardman was also signed while reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis and Denzel Mims remain on the roster.
That is a lot of competition for targets despite DeAndre Hopkins being talented enough to sit atop the depth chart. Money will also be a factor as the Jets were outbid by a large margin but the Ravens for Beckham. That could happen again if they aren’t willing to offer more guaranteed money.
