It feels like it has been months since we started hearing reports that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was rumored to be on the trade market.
In recent days, the climate seems to have shifted, with signs now pointing to a possible outright release instead of the star being dealt.
What will the Cardinals ultimately decide to do with their prized superstar? Let's examine this further.
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Will The Cardinals Release DeAndre Hopkins?
If one thing is clear in an otherwise unpredictable NFL, the Cardinals are at the beginning of an organizational rebuild. After a disappointing 2022 season and a severe injury to their All-Pro quarterback, Kyler Murray, it appears they are ready to make significant changes.
The most valued asset on the team is their veteran wide receiver, who would immediately add significant value to a new organization. After missing the first six games of last season due to a suspension, the 30-year-old returned and looked like he never missed a beat. He finished his shortened campaign by amassing 64 receptions and 717 receiving yards with three touchdowns in just nine games.
There is no place for Hopkins on the Cardinals' roster as things are currently constituted as if the team is heading nowhere fast. He is a superstar and needs to be with an organization that is closer to the top of the league rather than the bottom. It appears Arizona hasn't gotten the asking price they had set, so a release may very well be on the horizon.
Which Teams Could Sign Hopkins If He Is Released?
If Hopkins is outright released, there will clearly be suitors for his services. The major questions would revolve around how much is his price tag and which teams would be willing to pay.
The three teams that have been most aligned with the Hopkins rumor mill have been the Cowboys, Chiefs, and Patriots. All would welcome his talents to town, and each has a place for him on their respective rosters. All three organizations may very well be playing the waiting game to see if he is let go so the price tag meets their agendas.
The 2013 Houston Texans first-round draft pick has been named to five All-Pro teams in his career but has yet to compete for a championship. He may be looking to join a franchise that is on the precipice of a Super Bowl. If so, the Cowboys and Chiefs are the favorites, and the Patriots may be on the outside looking in.
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