Growing Trend
The NFL offseason has shown a common trend this summer as star players have been unwilling to renegotiate current contracts to help their teams’ cap space. At the forefront of this trend is star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins was traded from the Houston Texans to the Arizona Cardinals in the 2018 offseason. In his time in Arizona, Hopkins has only produced, especially when looking at his percentage of dropped passes. In his three seasons with the Cardinals Hopkins only had three drops on 315 targets, converting to a 1.0% drop rate. This stellar statistic leads the NFL when it comes to dropped passes and has sparked numerous teams interest in signing the newly free agent after he was released by the Cardinals on May 30th. The Cardinals reason behind releasing Hopkins is a product of the $30.75 million cap hit that would have incurred this season. In his short time as a free agent Hopkins has been very vocal about what he is looking for in his next franchise. Hopkins’s transparency has caused numerous notable NFL stars like Lamar Jackson, Dalvin Cook, and Deshaun Watson to reach out via social media in hopes of bringing the wideout to their offenses.
Intentions
Hopkins has made it clear that he is looking to sign with a championship caliber team as well as joining up with another star free agent, Dalvin Cook. Whether Hopkins and Cook will find the same home is unclear, but what is very transparent is that Hopkins is ready to win now. During his free agency escapade, Hopkins has been giving hints as to where he might end up next.
DeAndre Hopkins knows how to use his body language to make a statement about where he may wanna head next 👀👀 @ATCoveredPod pic.twitter.com/wExi14e28M
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 16, 2023
Taking Flights
Over the past month Hopkins has met with two franchises that seem to be keen on signing the five-time Pro-Bowler, the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots. Although social media is a powerful tool in today’s world, actions speak louder than tweets and Instagram posts. This has become apparent after Hopkins took a visit to Nashville in early June to visit with the Tennessee Titans and later the New England Patriots. I have a hard time believing Hopkins will sign with either of these teams due to the state of the organizations. Tennessee is looking for their next WR1 following the blockbuster trade of last year's NFL Draft shipping A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles. Tennessee is also in the midst of a major QB decision, stick with Ryan Tannehill or focus on the development of Malik Willis and rookie Will Levis. The Patriots are in a similar situation following a losing season for only the third time in legendary Patriot’s head coach Bill Belichick career. The uncertainty of whether the Patriots quarterback will be first-round pick Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe does not create a conducive environment for Hopkins to potentially have postseason success in 2023.The one polarizing factor that the Patriots have over the Titans is that of their offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brian. O’Brian and Hopkins did not leave Houston with the best relationship but according to the Patriots organization and O’Brian himself, it is not an issue.
My Two Cents
A more reasonable option for DeAndre Hopkins next team is the Baltimore Ravens. Even though the Ravens have signed star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the offseason, the addition of Hopkins would only elevate MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and his Ravens to a championship contender. Lamar Jackson has proven that he can play quarterback in the NFL even without a strong supporting cast. With the addition of OBJ, the Ravens are finally meeting the MVP’s needs. The addition of DeAndre Hopkins would only bolster the Ravens offense and take some of the stress off of Jackson’s shoulders. I am honestly surprised the Ravens front office has not seriously considered this move due to Jackson openly demanding that the Ravens trade for Hopkins during the 2023 NFL Draft. As of now the Ravens have not shown any serious interest in signing Hopkins.
Whoever’s in my future wide receiver group. I promise I will make your job easy.
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) June 20, 2023
Time Will Tell
DeAndre Hopkins will no doubt be playing for a new NFL franchise in the 2023 season but where the receiver signs is still left to be known, at least for now. Hopkins will be an instant plug-in to any offense and can still be considered a solid WR1 even with his recent injury history. A fresh start is what this star player needs and I hope he can find his place with a franchise that will set him up for success and not waste his talent by using him as a cornerstone piece to rebuild an offense.
