The Memorial Day weekend got off to an electric start when the Arizona Cardinals released former All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Yahoo Sports’ Chris Cwik reported the Cardinals had tried trading Hopkins, but couldn’t find a team willing to make a deal. Kwik’s story notes “Hopkins was set to make $19.4 million in 2023 and $14.9 million in 2024.”
That financial obligations could have made a trade difficult.
Hopkins, who turns 31 on June 6, has had six seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards. But he was limited to 19 games the previous two seasons in Arizona.
Chiefs defensive back Justin Reid would love to have Hopkins join him in Kansas City.
“Come win a ring in KC bro @DeAndreHopkins,” Reid tweeted.
Hopkins’ release comes days after he said he’d one day would love to play with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
One pundit thinks the Chiefs and Hopkins are a match made in heaven.
ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington thinks Hopkins and the Chiefs would be a perfect match, even if Hopkins doesn’t receive a blockbuster deal.
“Totally speculative — but a short-term deal with the Chiefs would make so much sense to me,” Darlington wrote on Twitter. “The fact Hopkins is available via free agency shows you his value needs to be improved. Nowhere better to do it right now than KC. Win-win.”
Judging by the reaction on social media, most Chiefs fans would welcome Hopkins with open arms.