A new detail regarding the contract of Arizona Cardinals’ wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has emerged, and it makes a trade for the All-Pro wideout a lot simpler.
Hopkins was suspended for the first six games of the 2022 season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. Hopkins has two years remaining on his contract with the Cardinals.
The soon-to-be 31-year-old had a no-trade clause in his contract, but according to Joel Corry of CBS Sports, the suspension means that the NTC in the deal is no more:
“Several teams reportedly inquired about Hopkins’ availability before last season’s trade deadline. The no-trade clause in Hopkins’ contract voided when he was suspended for the first six games of the 2022 season because of violating of the league’s performance enhancing substances policy.”
So now the Cardinals can trade Hopkins anywhere without requiring his approval. That bodes well for the front office, since it opens the door to an increased trade market for the veteran superstar wideout.
Despite appearing in just nine games in 2022, Hopkins finished with a strong stat line of 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns. Hopkins has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in six of his 10 NFL seasons.
For his career, the 2013 first-round pick of the Houston Texans has 853 receptions for 11,298 yards and 71 touchdowns. Hopkins has been named to the Pro Bowl five times. Among active wideouts, only Julio Jones (13,629) has more career receiving yards than Hopkins.
