DeAndre Hopkins Clearly Still Wants to Leave Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins went on the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast and cleared some things up.

TEMPE -- The Arizona Cardinals began their OTA's today without some star power on the field. 

Quarterback Kyler Murray was spotted on the side watching quarterbacks as he continues his recovery from ACL surgery. 

Safety Budda Baker - who is still demanding a new contract or trade - was not present. 

Neither was receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who spent the weekend in Toronto, appeared on a new episode of the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast where he discussed a handful of issues, which included his current situation with the Cardinals. Hopkins has been in trade rumors since the very beginning of the offseason. 

Recently, Hopkins posted a video on his Instagram page where he said, "I see everybody telling me to stay. Who said I wanna go? Who said I wanted to leave? I'm out here working baby."

On the I AM ATHLETE podcast, he cleared his statement up. 

"Phoenix is home. It's where I have been the last three years," said Hopkins. Working out there, there's no emphasis other than that's where I live. It's not me going on a campaign. It's just me working out."

Despite the 'Who said I wanted to leave?' insta story a few weeks ago, it's clear DeAndre Hopkins wants to leave.

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) May 22, 2023

When asked what he's looking for on a new team, Hopkins responded with:

"What I want is stable management upstairs, that's something I haven't really had the past couple years of my career coming from Houston and then to Arizona. A QB who loves the game, a QB who brings everybody on board with him, not just himself but everybody around him," said Hopkins. "And a great defense. A great defense wins championships."

It's clear that the Cardinals have tried to move Hopkins, as plenty of reports from the very start of the offseason up to the 2023 NFL Draft fueled speculation that multiple deals were potentially done. 

Hopkins, looking to move on and potentially win a championship, feels like a fresh start is for the best, too. 

D-Hop trying to rev up his dormant trade market again.

Started this list with Josh Allen, added Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert.

pic.twitter.com/tffJAd5sxE

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) May 22, 2023

Hopkins did have some good things to say about the Cardinals, however:

"This is Monti [Ossenfort's] first year as a GM, but from what I understand and talking to Monti, I think Arizona is in good hands," Hopkins said. "The defense is good. We have Budda Baker, Isaiah Simmons. Kyler is a quarterback who loves the game but he's injured. Right now, I'm playing with Colt McCoy, who I love. But who knows."

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