Bengals: Latest Deandre Hopkins news has divisional implications
It's been a rough couple of years for the Cincinnati Bengals whenever they've had to play the Cleveland Browns. Despite resounding overall success, Cincinnati has only beaten its instate rival once since drafting Joe Burrow in 2020. That lone win happened last year, during Deshaun Watson's second-ever start with the team that fully guaranteed his […]
It's been a rough couple of years for the Cincinnati Bengals whenever they've had to play the Cleveland Browns. Despite resounding overall success, Cincinnati has only beaten its instate rival once since drafting Joe Burrow in 2020.
That lone win happened last year, during Deshaun Watson's second-ever start with the team that fully guaranteed his five-year contract despite having dozens of incriminating sexual assault allegations against him at the time.
Watson is there to stay in Cleveland, and he may be getting more reinforcements in the form of a old running mate at receiver.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports that the Browns signing former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Deandre Hopkins is a "strong possibility," while a reunion in Houston is to be considered unlikely.
Hopkins and Watson played three years together in Houston before former head coach Bill O'Brien traded the All-Pro receiver to Arizona in the 2020 offseason. Reports had O'Brien and Hopkins at odds with one another over power dynamics in the locker room. Watson ended up playing one more year under O'Brien with the Texans before his off field troubles and trade demand kept him off the field for nearly two full seasons.
A reunion between Hopkins and Watson in Cleveland would give the Browns offense a needed boost at receiver. Amari Cooper is the team's No. 1 wideout, and Donovan Peoples-Jones has assumed the No. 2 role with Elijah Moore manning the slot.
The flip side is that Hopkins is about to turn 31 years old in a sport where players at his position don't normally stay elite in their 30s. One team executive told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer that Hopkins "can’t run anymore.” Another exec had concerns about his effort in practice.
Any deal with Hopkins, whom was released by the Cardinals earlier this week, would involve a starting-level salary. He would become a focal point of the offense with his former quarterback. The two connected for 3,581 yards and 25 touchdowns during their three-year run together with the Texans.
Hopkins also recently hired a Cleveland-based agent, Kelton Crenshaw, which indicates that Wilson's reporting has some legs to it. Crenshaw also has major clients that play in the NFC East.
A decision for the three-time All-Pro isn't expected to be made soon. Hopkins would benefit from biding his time to increase any potential offer, and skip out on any minicamp work leading up to training camp.
Featured image via Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
