With DeAndre Hopkins’ trade value reportedly at a serious low, one NFL insider claims many around the league believe he could soon be available in NFL free agency.
With a limited market for the gifted wide receiver, it seems that the Hopkins trade market could soon turn into an NFL free-agent market. During a Saturday appearance on the “Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast,” league insider Albert Breer reported the latest on the situation with the Arizona Cardinals star.
“Some teams think the Cardinals are going to end up cutting him," Breer said. "His market is not great right now. And even for teams like, say Kansas City, Kansas City would need him to take a significant pay cut. Clearly, there’s nobody that was willing to take on the contract and pay the Cardinals’ initial price.”
After the 2022 season, rumors started to fly that Hopkins’ time in Arizona could be over after three seasons. This wasn’t a complete surprise. Hopkins missed six games last season due to a failed drug test and after10 years in the league, he has fallen into the category where his skills are no longer at the level of his price tag.
Nevertheless, at 30 years old he is still viewed as the sort of talent that can be an impact player on any team around the league. Unfortunately for Hopkins, his trade market has been nearly non-existent because of the over $33 million left on his contract and the compensation the Cardinals would like in shipping off a five-time Pro Bowler.
If Hopkins did hit NFL free agency and was willing to take an annual salary under $10 million, there would be a very strong market for his services. Teams like the Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens would all likely jump into the chase for the three-time All-Pro.
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