In a surprise, the Arizona Cardinals announced on Friday afternoon that they had released star wideout DeAndre Hopkins.
The 30-year-old Hopkins had been the subject of trade rumors for several months. But the Cardinals ultimately decided to release the veteran wideout, who had one year remaining on his contract.
Per ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss, the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots were some of the clubs “reportedly interested in pursuing Hopkins,” leading up to his release from the Cardinals.
There certainly shouldn’t be a lack of interest in one of the game’s elite offensive playmakers of the past decade. Even though he was limited to nine games last season, Hopkins still recorded 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns.
Hopkins was drafted 27th overall by the Houston Texans in 2013. He spent his first six seasons there, helping the club to AFC South division titles in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. Hopkins has crossed 1,000 yards receiving in six of his 10 seasons.
For his career, Hopkins has 853 receptions for 11,298 yards and 71 touchdowns.
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Needless to say, the Cardinals will look a lot different when they hit the field in 2023. They’ll be led by a new GM-coach duo in Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon, and starting quarterback Kyler Murray will miss time as he continues to recover from a torn ACL.
Through in the departures of Hopkins, J.J. Watt (retired), Zach Allen (signed with the Denver Broncos) and Byron Murphy (signed with the Minnesota Vikings), and it certainly looks to be a long year ahead in The Desert.
