Latest news gives Lions opportunity to land NFL superstar
The Detroit Lions have an opportunity to land one of the best players in the NFL after recent news. The Arizona Cardinals made the shocking decision to release superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on Friday. In doing so, the Cardinals will eat $22.6 million in dead cap money, which almost ensures their plans to tank […]
The Detroit Lions have an opportunity to land one of the best players in the NFL after recent news.
The Arizona Cardinals made the shocking decision to release superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on Friday. In doing so, the Cardinals will eat $22.6 million in dead cap money, which almost ensures their plans to tank in 2023.
Hopkins has made it clear that he would prefer to sign with a contender, which the Lions are. Jared Goff also offers stability at the quarterback position, and with pass-catchers such as Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams on the outside, Hopkins would surely benefit from plenty of one-on-one situations.
An under the radar element that could contribute to Detroit inking Hopkins is the fact that the Lions are a dome team. Hopkins’ only two stops in his 10-year career have come in Houston and Arizona, who are both dome teams. He wouldn’t have to worry about the inclement weather the NFC North is known for either due to the Lions’ favorable 2023 schedule.
The final factor also happens to be the most important – money. Although he’s accrued over $111 million throughout his career, he will still command a hefty chunk of change wherever he may land.
The good news for the Lions is that they currently have $23.7 million in salary cap space for the 2023 season. That figure ranks fifth in the NFL trailing only the Raiders, Bears, Panthers and Colts.
One unique caveat to remember in this circumstance is that while it might be unlikely, Arizona could still opt to trade Hopkins prior to 4pm EST. This is precisely what transpired for the Lions to trade for kicker Riley Patterson on Thursday.
If Lions GM Brad Holmes wants to enter the D-Hop sweepstakes, there will be no shortage of suitors. With that being said, the Lions would immediately jump from NFC contenders to a legitimate threat for the Super Bowl. Holmes and the Lions have been aggressive throughout the offseason, so it would make sense for them to at least kick the tires on the future Hall of Famer.
