DeAndre Hopkins to Bills: Stevie Johnson Telling or Trolling?

Legendary Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson excited the Buffalo Bills fan base by fueling the trade rumors connecting his former team with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Could five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins be on his way to Western New York?

If the latest social media morsels from a beloved former Buffalo Bills wideout are to be believed, Hopkins may wish to stock up on his cold-weather gear.

With the Arizona Cardinals expected to execute a trade for the prolific pass-catcher in the coming days, former Bills receiver Stevie Johnson is having some fun at the expense of rumors linking Hopkins to Buffalo. 

Is a Bills-Cardinals trade truly imminent, or were Johnson’s pearls of wisdom simply some Twitter trolling from a man with a legendary sense of humor? 

Via: Twitter, @StevieJohnson13

Despite being connected to several potential suitors throughout the past few weeks, Hopkins’ potential of joining the Bills reached a fever pitch when Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones expressed his belief that Buffalo was atop the list of possible destinations on Thursday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show. 

While the Bills are unlikely to scoff at surrendering the necessary draft capital to facilitate a deal, finances may play a role in its demise. Buffalo is currently projected to have just $9 million in cap space. As such, the team would be required to make corresponding moves to afford Hopkins’ anticipated $19.4 million salary in 2023. 

Still, the 31-year-old veteran remains one of the NFL’s premier receivers. As previously mentioned, Hopkins is a five-time Pro Bowler and has also been named to five All-Pro teams throughout his 10-year career. He has topped the 1,000-yard mark as a receiver in six of those seasons, with 71 total touchdown receptions.

After serving a six-game suspension to start last season, Hopkins has re-established himself as Arizona’s primary scoring option, logging 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns in just nine games. As a result, the 10-year veteran helped to reverse the fortune of a Cardinals offense which largely under-performed this past season.

At 6-1, 215-pounds, Hopkins is adequately-sized to win his battles at the point of the catch, while also possessing the speed to outrun his opponent on the perimeter. 

As for Johnson, Bills fans would like nothing more than to believe that his latest offerings are more ‘gospel’ than ‘got’cha.’ The Bills legend is still revered throughout the fanbase. Johnson began his career in 2008, when he was drafted by the Bills in the seventh round (224 overall.) During his six seasons in Buffalo, Johnson had 301 receptions for 3,832 yards in 76 games. While his career would take him to San Francisco (2014 with the 49ers) and San Diego (2015 with the Chargers), his time with the Bills is the most dear to his heart. 

If he is correct, Johnson can be counted among the most enthusiastic members of Bills Mafia to welcome DeAndre Hopkins to Orchard Park.

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL

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