DeAndre Hopkins’ time as Arizona’s Cardinal is now a memory after the wide receiver’s announced dismissal Friday.
Hopkins’ career in the desert is ending after three seasons, 221 catches, 2,696 yards and 17 touchdowns.
From a field perspective, it’s a tough blow for a Cardinals team facing a difficult year. But financially it makes sense.
The thought that Hopkins might play elsewhere bothered many this offseason amid the many trade talks circling the wideout.
A release, however, was not quite what the NFL world had envisioned.
Just ask Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke, who responded to the news in real time.
“What a minute, they already made it official? “Oh my god,” Ron Wolfley said Friday after Hopkins was released. “There isn’t an asterisk next to it? Wow.”
[email protected] wished the Cardinals had received compensation for DeAndre Hopkins.
“I never expected that,” says Wolf about the release of the recipient. pic.twitter.com/A9drhUbhmu
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) May 26, 2023
“I hate it, I hate it, I hate it,” added Luke Lapinski. “We started this offseason thinking, ‘I don’t want to settle for a third-round pick for DeAndre Hopkins.’ Just give me a second.’ … Now how about just nothing for DeAndre Hopkins? Nothing nothing.”
[email protected] wished the Cardinals had received compensation for DeAndre Hopkins.
“I never expected that,” says Wolf about the release of the recipient. pic.twitter.com/A9drhUbhmu
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) May 26, 2023
With the news still fresh, let’s take a look at the other insights, reactions and additional insights from across the league, starting with a former Hopkins teammate:
🤦🏾♂️
— Isaiah Simmons (@isaiahsimmons25) May 26, 2023
@DeAndreHopkins wassupppppp???
— Laremy Tunsil (@KingTunsil78) May 26, 2023
The announced release of #AZCardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins calls for no trading partners.
That contract (and possibly its recent availability issues) certainly played a part.
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) May 26, 2023
“Cardinals released DeAndre Hopkins” pic.twitter.com/077YC8qMb5
— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) May 26, 2023
“You kind of did him a favor.” @Wingoz on the news of DeAndre Hopkins and how Nuk now has a head start in the open market 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/6vnBTmsHZC
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) May 26, 2023
While there are teams that weren’t willing to match DeAndre Hopkins’ full salary of $19.45 million for 2023, I’ve since heard from a few who were willing to at least double-check Hopkins’ availability and cost after his release to consider. https://t.co/6S1rog1m9T
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) May 26, 2023
BREAKING: The Arizona Cardinals have released DeAndre Hopkins #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/3xdhkWbHbA
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 26, 2023
The Arizona Cardinals fired DeAndre Hopkins, but he could still technically trade until 4:00 p.m. EST.
If it is not traded, it will be cut.
Two teams vying to sign him don’t have to go head-to-head if you trade, say, a late player.
It’s unlikely, but it could still happen.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) May 26, 2023
Brandon Beane on his way to becoming DeAndre Hopkins’ agent with a lucrative offer:pic.twitter.com/0QXKV5znms
— Breyon (@bre_88) May 26, 2023
DON’T LET DEANDRE HOPKINS GO TO KANSAS CITY pic.twitter.com/n3igTTylfx
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) May 26, 2023
DeAndre Hopkins has only worked with the following play callers in his 10-year career:
Cliff Kingsbury
Bill O’Brien
Rick Dennison
🫣
But since his draft, he’s still #1 in catches and #2 in receiving yards
Combine him with a great play caller and QB 🤞 on his next stop
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 26, 2023
DeAndre Hopkins angered some in the Cardinals organization by sitting out the final two games of the 2022 season, despite being healthy, according to sources. It could have been a difficult situation if he had stayed with the team until the close.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) May 26, 2023
According to the sources, the Chiefs received permission to speak with DeAndre Hopkins early in the offseason and spoke with him before the draft. The contract was the hurdle, and to do it now would require a significant price drop.
KC likes him, but the deal they gave to Donovan Smith makes it difficult.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 26, 2023
“The Cardinals’ release of DeAndre Hopkins never really seemed like a possible outcome.”
They held trade talks throughout the draft but were never able to strike a deal”@RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/bnZyTg6pqY
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 26, 2023
Lamar Jackson urged the Ravens to try to sign DeAndre Hopkins.
DeAndre Hopkins said Lamar Jackson is “one of the greats” and would love to play with him.
OBJ has been working with D-Hop this offseason.
D-hop in Baltimore makes too much sense.
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) May 26, 2023
DeAndre Hopkins landing sites:
Scariest: Chiefs
Best for Fantasy: Bills
Annoying to the imagination: cowboys and jets
Makes sense: Browns
Bill O’Brien-Reunion Nobody Asked About: Patriots
Funniest: Texans
Second funniest: Packers
Useless: Falcons
Fun for Lamar: Ravens
Restrained Fire: Lions
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) May 26, 2023
Never forget when Deandre Hopkins did THIS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/SsMTzx34Gn
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) May 26, 2023
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