Insider Would be 'Stunned' if DeAndre Hopkins Received OBJ-Like Deal
Former Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins is quickly finding out that perhaps the grass isn't greener on the other side.
Not that Arizona's grass was anything close to being perfectly green (figuratively and literally when you remember complaints from the College Football Playoff and Super Bowl at State Farm Stadium), but Hopkins wanted two things: To be paid, and to play for a contender.
That second option is now entirely possible after the Cardinals released him, though the financial part can be a bit tricky.
Hopkins was initially due $19.45 million in cash for the 2023 season, which proved to be a major hurdle for teams trying to negotiate a trade previously. Hopkins is still reportedly seeking a major payday, but Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer dubbed his market "murky" after Odell Beckham Jr.'s deal.
"We’ve been over this a few times now about how Odell Beckham Jr.’s deal has had an adverse effect on the Hopkins market. Beckham got $15 million in base pay from the Ravens, with another $3 million in upside," said Breer.
"I’d be pretty stunned if that sort of deal is out there for Hopkins."
Other prominent NFL insiders have beat a similar drum.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills were the two accepted "best fits" for Hopkins in terms of contending for a Super Bowl.
"At this point, I’d say both those teams would sign him only at a discount," said Breer.
"The Chiefs gave money that would’ve gone to Hopkins to left tackle Donovan Smith. The Bills traded up for Dalton Kincaid, lessening their need for a chain-moving receiver and giving them another mouth to feed in an offense that has to get the ball plenty to Stefon Diggs."
Breer threw out possibilities of the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots. The Houston Texans are reportedly another team to monitor, too.
Beckham, who is just slightly younger than Hopkins and didn't play all of 2022 after recovering from his ACL injury, certainly made things difficult for Hopkins on the open market.
Now, Hopkins is facing a harsh reality that one last large payday isn't looming.
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