Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is on the trading block, and one team has been ruled out as a potential landing spot.
Entering this offseason, there were plenty of teams in need of wide receiver help. The free agency class was far from great, but the biggest name available was Odell Beckham Jr., and he is now off the board after signing a one-year, $15 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. However, there is another big name available on the trading block (for now), and that’s Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport was asked about the potential of the New York Jets making a move for Hopkins after losing out on Beckham. Rapoport shut down the thought that the Jets would pivot to bring in Hopkins.
“[The Jets] signed two receivers in free agency, they might still draft one, they still have Corey Davis, obviously Garrett Wilson is going to be really, really good. I think they’re actually good at receiver,” said Rapoport. “I viewed Odell as a cherry on top…so I don’t think they’re going to replace not getting Odell with something. I think he would have been almost an extra.”
NFL insider rules out Jets as DeAndre Hopkins landing spot
Additionally, Rapoport said that he thinks Hopkins will get traded around the NFL Draft, which is scheduled from Apr. 27-29, live in Kansas City, Mo.
The Jets were linked to Beckham this offseason, as he was on quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ wish list this offseason. This offseason, Rodgers announced his intention to play for the Jets in 2023, so the team was trying to bring Beckham aboard. He was scheduled to visit with the team this past Monday, but he agreed to a deal with the Ravens the day before.
Hopkins is scheduled to make $19.45 million in base salary for the 2023 season. The Cardinals were initially looking for a second-round draft pick in return for Hopkins, but nothing has transpired. According to TheMMQB’s Albert Breer, some teams believe that Hopkins could be released by the team if no trade partner can be found.
Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner fueled speculation about Hopkins joining the team, saying that he spoke to him recently.
The Jets are trying to bring in Rodgers to help bring the team back to the playoffs and to hopefully contend for a Super Bowl title. As for the team pursuing Hopkins, Rapoport doesn’t see it happening.
