Patriots Interested if Cardinals Cut DeAndre Hopkins?

The New England Patriots have a particular set of conditions under which they are willing to pursue Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

FOXBORO — Though visions of Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins wearing a New England Patriots uniform in 2023 appear to be getting more clouded with each passing day, some clarity may be getting close on the horizon. 

While recent reports have indicated that New England would remain on the sidelines regarding any trade negotiations, their interest in acquiring the five-time Pro Bowler may be peaked if Hopkins is released by the team. 

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

To date, they have failed to do so. 

The Kansas City Chiefs are also expected to be in the mix of interested parties, should he be cut by Arizona. However, the Super Bowl Champions would only do so if Hopkins is willing to accept a “significant pay cut.” 

Update: NFL teams think that the #Cardinals will release WR DeAndre Hopkins.

The report mentions the #Chiefs and #Patriots as potential landing spots for him under certain conditions. https://t.co/o1JZZHj9CP

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 3, 2023

“I think for a team like the Patriots, it would either be no draft-pick compensation or way, way, way down from Arizona’s initial ask, and an adjustment to the contract,” Breer said. “And that obviously gives Hopkins considerable control over the situation, because if you’re going to change the contract, then you have to go to him.

“So I think this is a really, really complicated one, and they haven’t shown great interest. 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 — 

If traded, Hopkins’ new team would be set to absorb salary cap hits of $19.45 million in 2023 and $14.915 million in 2024. With New England currently fielding in excess of $12.2 million in available cap space heading into the new work week, adding Hopkins to the Foxboro fold will also require some creative fiscal management. 

Meanwhile, the Patriots are seeming intent on upgrading their corps of pass-catchers for 2023. The team has already added wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Mike Gesicki via free agency. The Pats are also expected to pursue the services of a game-breaking Draft prospect to make life a bit easier for expected starting quarterback Mac Jones.

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