Cardinals Still Evaluating Future of DeAndre Hopkins

It's still early in the process of deciding what to do with DeAndre Hopkins, says general manager Monti Ossenfort.

The Arizona Cardinals are quite busy with their offseason slate. 

We're now a week removed from the official introduction of head coach Jonathan Gannon, and he's been fairly busy adding key components to his staff for 2023.

Next week, the Cardinals will be in Indianapolis at the 2023 NFL Combine, where they'll get a look at a handful of prospects that could be of service later in April for the draft. 

Just after that will feature free agency, where Arizona has 30 players ready to test the waters. 

Plenty of decisions will need to be made, yet another large decision looming is the status of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Reports emerged earlier in the offseason that the Cardinals were looking to trade Hopkins with just two years remaining on his deal. 

The veteran receiver will turn 31-years-old before the beginning of the season. His cap hit for 2023 sits only behind Tyreek Hill for largest in the pass-catchers category.

Hopkins and general manager Monti Ossenfort reportedly met a few weeks back in a conversation that was described as productive on both sides.

Ossenfort - appearing on Arizona Sports' Bickley and Marotta on Thursday morning - elaborated further on the talk. 

“I had a great talk with D-Hop a couple weeks ago. I just discussed what my philosophy was,” Ossenfort said (h/t Arizona Sports). “D-Hop’s been a great player in this league for a long time. I’m excited to work with him.

“I think any roster decisions (like) that, we’re in the early stages right now. I would say, from afar … I’ve been on teams that have had to compete against D-Hop, and I know what a problem and a stress he puts on defenses. I’m excited to have D-Hop on the team and really as it goes — whether it pertains to D-Hop’s situation or anybody’s situation — we’re in the early stages of evaluating that. But I’m excited D-Hop is on the team with me right now.”

Hopkins reportedly had a no-trade clause in his deal that would have given him ultimate control of his situation, yet CBS Sports reported his previous suspension for PED use relinquished the clause. The Cardinals can now trade Hopkins to their preferred destination, should they chose to do so. 

Should Arizona be looking into a potential rebuild, maximizing the return on Hopkins may be the smart thing to do. If they believe they're just a few pieces away, the Cardinals may keep Hopkins around for the duration of his contract. 

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