Arizona Cardinals Will Attempt to Trade Wide Receiver Hopkins

The Arizona Cardinals are preparing for a period of seismic changes, and even one of their biggest stars on offense may not be immune. Jordan Schultz of the Score reports the team will attempt to trade three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in the offseason.

Sources: #AZCardinals plan to try and trade All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. DHop has 2 yrs and $34.36M left on his contract and is likely to seek a new deal. Owner Michael Bidwill plans to express this to GM candidates.

My story, via @theScore: https://t.co/xX8NHkULYH
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 10, 2023

Hopkins is coming off an injury-plagued (and suspension-shortened) regular season but still managed to lead the Cardinals with 717 receiving yards across nine appearances. His value could be difficult to ascertain; he turns 31 this summer and hasn't exceeded 1000 yards in a season since 2020. His efficiency also plummeted this year: he averaged a mere 7.5 yards per target, his least since 2016.

Considering the Cardinals appear headed for a rebuilding season in 2023, offloading a veteran like Hopkins to a contending team would make sense for all parties. The issue would be compensation. If Hopkins is seeking a new deal, he may struggle to find any franchises around the league willing to add any guaranteed money to a contract that still has two years left on it with significant salaries ($19.45 million in 2023, $14.915 million in 2024). If the Cardinals want a high pick, they may not find many bidders.

Still, Hopkins is five-time Pro Bowler, and his name still carries a lot of value to fanbases around the league. He could make sense for a franchise looking to appease a star quarterback or generate excitement. The Green Bay Packers could make some sense, or perhaps the Las Vegas Raiders if they land Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.