Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon addresses release of DeAndre Hopkins

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon addressed the recent release of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on Thursday. 

"Yeah, all the factors that were in play, we just felt it was the best thing for the team to play with who we have," Gannon told reporters about Hopkins, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I mean, it’s really no big deal to me. We were operating under the premise that he was going to be here. And now we’re not. So, we’re moving on." 

As recently as May 22, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' website noted that Hopkins spent the early days of voluntary organized team activities away from the club. Gannon said late last month he was "not worried about Hop," but the situation changed when it was learned ahead of the Memorial Day weekend that Arizona was releasing the three-time First-Team All-Pro.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray continues his recovery from knee surgery he underwent in early January and could miss at least half of the 2023 campaign. Arizona didn't go out of the way to acquire a big-name fill-in this offseason and instead is on track to have journeyman veteran Colt McCoy atop the depth chart in September. Thus, individuals such as NBC Sports' Peter King are suggesting the Cardinals will spend the upcoming campaign tanking with 2024 or even 2025 in mind. 

"What I’m looking for is to play...winning football as a team," Gannon added during his comments. "And that’s not just the receiver room. That’s the tight ends group, the O-line group, quarterback group, running back group, the defense, special teams, the kicking. Football is never about one guy, never has [been], never will be. And we’ve all got to pull our weight." 

Gannon only accepted the Arizona job in February and understandably can't openly admit the club isn't serious about contending for even a playoff spot anytime soon. While Gannon likely wishes the organization could've located a trade partner regarding the veteran receiver who turns 31 years old next week, the coach seems to understand the 2023 Cardinals are probably better off without a disgruntled Hopkins.