Getty Image / Cooper Neill
The Arizona Cardinals made a shocking decision today.
After spending the offseason unsuccessfully attempting to find a trade partner to send DeAndre Hopkins to, the Cardinals decided to release the star receiver.
Cardinals released DeAndre Hopkins. pic.twitter.com/c0f9UaabYA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 26, 2023
Following his release, Hopkins should get plenty of interest on the open market.
Hopkins hasn’t put up truly elite numbers in a couple of seasons, but proved last year that he is still one of the NFL’s most talented receivers. Despite only appearing in 9 games, Hopkins still made 64 catches for 717 yards for the Cardinals.
Here are 4 teams that should pursue Hopkins this offseason:
New York Giants
The New York Giants have already made some solid moves this offseason to try and give Daniel Jones more dependable targets. They traded for Darren Waller and then drafted Jalin Hyatt. Still, their wide receiver room isn’t the most inspiring.
The group is currently expected to be led by Darius Slayton, Parris Campbell, and Wan’Dale Robinson. It’s not exactly the most impressive group of names.
Hopkins would give the Giants the true WR1 their offense is missing right now and would give Danny Dimes by far the best receiver he has ever played with.
The New York Giants have clearly been trying to build a contender this offseason and adding Hopkins would make them a much more formidable offense in a tough NFC East.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans haven’t exactly been know for their love of throwing the football in recent years, but that is something that may need to change in the near future.
Derrick Henry has been an absolute force for the Titans, but at some point he is going to slow down and we already started to see his workload take a toll in 2021.
The Titans need passage options they can rely on and that’s something they just don’t have right now.
A year ago, I believed Treylon Burks was the best receiver in his draft class. That still may be true despite an injury-riddled rookie season, but the Titans don’t have anybody else.
Hopkins would give them a dependable veteran for Ryan Tannehill to throw to and take advantage of teams who try to take away the Tennessee Titans’ run game.
Green Bay Packers
This is probably not a very common answer to this question, but it’s a move that the Green Bay Packers should seriously consider.
Jordan Love is expected to become their starter for the first time this season and he doesn’t have a ton to throw to.
The Packers’ passing game last season wasn’t great and it has lost Allen Lazard, Robert Tonyan, and Randall Cobb.
Christian Watson had a breakout second half of the season in 2022, but Romeo Doubs never quite lived up to the preseason hype. They drafted Jayden Reed a month ago, but they can’t depend on him to make a huge impact as a rookie.
This is exactly the type of move that the Green Bay Packers refused to make for Aaron Rodgers, but they should make it for Love.
Love is going to be under immense pressure replacing Rodgers and needs players around him that can help him build confidence.
DeAndre Hopkins could be that player if the Packers are willing to pay for a star.
Kansas City Chiefs
Sometimes the most obvious answer actually is the best one.
The Kansas City Chiefs are the defending champs and have the chance to add another top-tier player to their roster.
DeAndre Hopkins has said that he wants to play with Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs don’t really have established options at receiver.
The Chiefs are also expected to renegotiate Mahomes’ contract this offseason, and could probably set the deal up to open cap space for Hopkins.
The rest of the league wouldn’t be happy to see it, but the Kansas City Chiefs should try to add Hopkins to an already absurdly potent offense.