DeAndre Hopkins absent from Cardinals OTAs

“Phoenix is home,” the three-time All-Pro said, via team reporter Darren Urban. “It’s where I have been the last three years…Working out there, there’s no emphasis other than that’s where I live. It’s not me going on a campaign. It’s just me working out.”

Hopkins has been the source of trade speculation throughout the offseason, with the Cardinals seemingly headed for a rebuild and his contract representing a potential cap burden. A trade sending him to a contending team – particularly in the AFC – coupled with Arizona retaining some of Hopkins’ compensation seemed like a plausible outcome, especially around the draft. However, general manager Monti Ossenfort made clear his intention of retaining the 30-year-old.

Hopkins, who has missed time due to injuries and a PED suspension in recent years, has fallen well short of denying an interest in playing elsewhere in 2023 and beyond. The latter issue voided his no-trade clause, leaving the door open to him suiting up for a third career team at some point down the road. He used his most recent remarks to again praise his current employer, though, going into detail about the factors he is most concerned with entering the latter stages of his career.

“What I want is stable management upstairs, that’s something I haven’t really had the past couple years of my career coming from Houston and then to Arizona,” he said. “A QB who loves the game, a QB who brings everybody on board with him, not just himself but everybody around him… and a great defense.”

While the degree to which the Cardinals check off those boxes is certainly debatable, Hopkins’ other comments again pointed to him remaining in the desert for the coming season. Interest from outside teams likely won’t die down, however, meaning his future remains in the air at this point.