Insider reveals link between one AFC contender and DeAndre Hopkins

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/26/23

The Arizona Cardinals couldn't find a trade suitor for wideout DeAndre Hopkins, releasing him on Friday. However, according to Albert Breer of SI.com, one AFC team has shown interest in Hopkins for months.

Per Breer, the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs spoke with Hopkins before the NFL Draft in April after requesting and receiving permission to contact the three-time All-Pro.

Now that Hopkins is a free agent, the Chiefs don't have to worry about trading away assets to acquire him. But, while the Chiefs remain interested in Hopkins, his price would, according to Breer, "have to come way down."

If money is ultimately the deciding factor for Hopkins, the Chiefs may be at a disadvantage. With only a little over $1.0 million in available cap space for 2023, Kansas City would have to do some roster shuffling to afford Hopkins.

Earlier this month, Hopkins named five quarterbacks he would like to play with, including the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen, Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts, Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson and Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert. The Eagles ($12.6 million), Ravens ($12.3 million) and Chargers ($12.0 million) all have a leg up on the Chiefs when it comes to having cash to burn, while the Bills ($1.6 million) are in a similar boat.

Kansas City does have a need for Hopkins, who could add some experience to the wideout unit. After veteran Marquez Valdez-Scantling, the Chiefs roster Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and rookie second-rounder Rashee Rice in the receivers room.

Toney and Moore combined for only 38 receptions, 421 yards and two touchdowns in 2022, while in limited action last season, Hopkins recorded 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 11.2 yards per catch.

Hopkins isn't the game-breaker he once was, but at 30 years old, he can still be an impactful player, especially if Mahomes is throwing him the football. Whether or not the Chiefs take the leap remains to be seen.

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