Patriots Interested in WR DeAndre Hopkins After Cardinals Release?

With reports indicating that the Arizona Cardinals are expected to release star wideout DeAndre Hopkins, the Patriots may be in the mix to acquire his services.

FOXBORO — Though visions of former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins wearing a New England Patriots uniform in 2023 had all but disappeared from the collective consciousness of Pats fans, they may have just been slightly rekindled.

Yes, you read that correctly. That’s FORMER Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

The Cards announced on Friday that they were releasing the star wideout, allowing him to sign with another team. Though Arizona still has the ability to move Hopkins via trade before the NFL’s transaction deadline of 4 p.m. ET on Friday, the release is expected to become official on Tuesday, May 30.

While New England remained on the sidelines regarding any trade negotiations, it was speculated that their interest in acquiring the five-time Pro Bowler may be peaked if Hopkins was released by the team.

During an April appearance on The Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that “some teams” believed that Arizona would ultimately release Hopkins if they were unable to find a suitable trade partner. The Cardinals were initially seeking a second-round pick and an additional asset for the veteran wideout.

Without a team having satisfied their asking price, and Hopkins’ obvious desire to continue his football journey elsewhere, the two sides have parted ways. 

Unsurprisingly, interest in Hopkins on the open market is expected to be robust. The Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens have been among the most prominently mentioned to be in the mix of interested parties.

So the question remains: “Where does this leave the Patriots?”

“I think this is a really, really complicated one, and they haven’t shown great interest,” Breer said in April. “They haven’t really been in it to this point. Like, if his market collapsed completely and he was cut or he was available for almost nothing and is willing to redo his contract, maybe we’re talking about something else.”

Hopkins has been named to five All-Pro teams throughout his 10-year career. He has topped the 1,000 receiving yards mark in six of those seasons, with 71 total touchdown receptions. In fact, some of Hopkins’ greatest successes on a football field came while being coached by new Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien during their tenure with the Houston Texans.

Despite numerous rumors suggesting a contentious relationship between the pair, reports have suggested that both O’Brien and Hopkins may — or may not — be willing to work together once again in New England. 

Though other potential suitors may be a better logistical or financial fit, New England is able to offer something that no other team can: the chance to play for head coach Bill Belichick — a long time admirer of Hopkins’ abilities on the field. 

As such, New England is expected to show interest, per The Athletic:

The Patriots, who previously checked in on DeAndre Hopkins, are more likely to pursue him now that the contract isn't as much of a hurdle, per sources. Financial competition is a factor, but there should be a level of interest from New England.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) May 26, 2023

If traded, Hopkins’ new team was to have absorbed salary cap hits of $19.45 million in 2023 and $14.915 million in 2024. Although the contractual obligations have now become much less of an obstacle, financials are always a concern. With New England currently fielding in excess of $13 million in available cap space, per Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan, adding Hopkins to the Foxboro fold is possible — with some creative fiscal management.

Meanwhile, the Patriots have made some notable upgrades their corps of pass-catchers for 2023. The team has already added wideout JuJu Smith-Schusterand tight end Mike Gesicki via free agency. The team also selected talented, yet enigmatic wideout Kayshon Boutte, as well as slot weapon Demario Douglas in the 2023 NFL Draft to make life a bit easier for expected starting quarterback Mac Jones.

Still, the allure of adding Hopkins to a group of receivers in which he would instantly become the top option, may be too great to ignore. 

Whether there is mutual interest between Hopkins and the Pats is a matter to be determined in short order. 

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