Cardinals HC ‘operating’ as if DeAndre Hopkins won’t be traded
As the Arizona Cardinals move through the offseason, the focus remains on star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ future.
The All-Pro wideout sits engulfed in trade rumors due to his $30.75 million cap hit for the 2023 season. The Cardinals are hoping to improve the roster after falling well short of reaching the playoffs.
Despite that, new head coach Jonathan Gannon voiced that he’s operating as if Hopkins will remain in Arizona.
“Right now, I’m operating under the premise that Hop’s our starting X [receiver] and people are going to have to defend him,” Gannon said Tuesday morning from the NFL’s annual meeting at the Arizona Biltmore via ESPN.
Hopkins hasn’t expressed a desire for a trade, but the uncertainty around his future in Arizona has left him to express doubt about the matter. The 30-year-old put forth a productive 2022 campaign despite serving a six-game suspension, posting 64 catches for 717 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
The Cardinals are hoping to fetch high-draft pick compensation in a trade for the star wideout. The team recently gave Hopkins permission to speak with other organizations to work out a deal.
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He remains one of the game’s top offensive talents, and he could become the missing piece to help push another franchise toward the playoffs and potential Super Bowl contention
If the trade market doesn’t hit up to the Cardinals’ liking, the organization could keep Hopkins. There isn’t any urgency to make a trade, which may likely see the situation bleed further into the offseason.
