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The Arizona Cardinals continue their rebuild by making tough decisions, the latest of which came in the form of releasing WR DeAndre Hopkins. 

Hopkins only spent a few seasons in Arizona - he initially played the first seven years of his career with the Houston Texans after drafting him in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. 

He was eventually traded to the Cardinals in 2020 for running back David Johnson, a 2020 second-round pick and a 2021 fourth-round pick.

In 35 games for the Cardinals, Hopkins caught 221 passes for 2,696 yards and 17 touchdowns. 

It was tough - but the right decision for both sides. The Cardinals can shed that future salary and continue with their rebuild while Hopkins can work his next contract with whoever he deems the best fit for him, which likely entails his first realistic shot at winning a Super Bowl. 

Hopkins bid goodbye to Arizona in a social media post hours after the club announced the move:

The Cardinals will save nearly $9 million in salary cap space by cutting him and will be completely free from his financial obligations in 2024, where the team is loaded with draft capital and could be ready to speed up their rebuilding process. 

As for potential fits for Hopkins, the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots are some of the heavier interested teams in his services. Kansas City reportedly received permission ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft to speak with him, but ultimately no deal was made. 

The DeAndre Hopkins era in Arizona is officially over, but the receiver is adamant there's no hard feelings for his time spent in the desert. 

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