The Arizona Cardinals are approaching rebuild territory after a disappointing 4-13 season, resulting in the firing of their head coach Kliff Kingsbury. They traded for a potential WR1 last season in Marquise Brown, so the bill for Hopkins could derail the re-tool that Arizona is undergoing.
Here are three possible trade destinations for DeAndre Hopkins.
The Packers are constantly in conversations about landing spots for high-value wide receivers. They never pull the trigger on any of them, though. Why could Hopkins force a sea-change for the organization? Simply put, it’s because the team has some decision-making to do.
Jordan Love is still sitting behind Aaron Rodgers, and the team will have to pick up his option without seeing much of him at game-speed. If Rodgers is traded or retires, then what better way to instill confidence in a young player than to go get a great receiver for him to throw to? This move could build trust between Love and the organization after Green Bay made him ride the bench for so long.
If Rodgers stays, then the team still needs another good receiver. Rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubz are good, but there is still an element of absolute dominance missing from the wide receiver position. Grabbing Hopkins is a way to say to Rodgers (and the rest of the team) that it’s finally time to throw caution to the wind and get him another ring. It would undoubtedly be a galvanizing signing.
First and foremost, Bill Belichick loves Hopkins. He said as much in a mic’d-up conversation heard on Hard Knocks. Hopkins doesn’t particularly love practice, which doesn’t fit the Belichick mold, but a concession could be made as the 70-year-old hunts for his seventh ring as a head coach.
Also, it’s time to figure out what the Patriots actually have in Mac Jones. It’s well documented that he is either afraid or unable to throw the ball down the field. Those qualms could be soothed with an excellent 50-50 ball guy like Hopkins. This trade could unlock huge potential in this otherwise bad offense. Plus, since it’s Belichick, New England will find a way to grossly underpay for him.
In the midst of contract disputes between Lamar Jackson and the Ravens front office, one thing should be made clear; Baltimore has never given Jackson a top-tier wide receiver to throw to. If the organization is going to guarantee a bunch of money to him, they better find a way to give him one of those pieces.
This is the perfect time to do this. The Cardinals won’t be afraid to send him out of the conference, Hopkins would be happy due to the rock-solid nature of the Ravens franchise, and Jackson could continue to add facets to his game. This makes all the sense in the world, if the Ravens realize what they have in Lamar and pay him well.
Stay tuned for more breaking NFL content, including midseason moves, contract updates and more news from every team.
Featured image courtesy of Christian Petersen/Getty Images
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers along with Ben!
“From Our Haus to Yours“
