Packers could be in the market for star WR after latest news
Opportunity could soon be knocking for the Green Bay Packers. The MMQB's Albert Breer went on the Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast revealing that teams around the league believe the Arizona Cardinals will release star WR DeAndre Hopkins. “There’s nobody who was willing to take on Hopkins’ contract and pay the Cardinals’ initial asking price,” Breer […]
Opportunity could soon be knocking for the Green Bay Packers.
The MMQB's Albert Breer went on the Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast revealing that teams around the league believe the Arizona Cardinals will release star WR DeAndre Hopkins.
“There’s nobody who was willing to take on Hopkins’ contract and pay the Cardinals’ initial asking price,” Breer said.
The Cardinals have been open about exploring potential trade packages featuring Hopkins, but his $30.75 million cap hit in 2023 is scaring teams off of the wideout who turns 31 in June.
While his current contract is steep, the Packers currently have the fourth-most salary cap space in the NFL at just under $22 million, per Over The Cap. The departures of Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Robert Tonyan have certainly created the need for a talented pass catcher like Hopkins.
Surrounding Jordan Love with as many weapons as possible is absolutely a strategy GM Brian Gutekunst should employ. That being said, if Hopkins is released, he will be able to pick his next destination.
Last week Packers head coach Matt LaFleur addressed the idea of bringing a veteran wide receiver in via free agency.
"I think some some veteran leadership would be nice," LaFleur said. "I think guys like Allen (Lazard) and Randall (Cobb) did such a great job last year taking those guys under their wing and showing them the ropes and the expectations and the practice habits that you need to have to go out there and play at a high level…
"I think, yeah, we're gonna have to add some bodies to that room certainly. I think that we only have, like, five guys on the roster, right now."
It would be one thing if Aaron Rodgers was committed to the Packers in 2023, but it would take one heck of a recruiting pitch to entice Hopkins to play in the elements of Green Bay along with a quarterback in his first season as the full-time starter.
Though the possibility still remains, landing Hopkins should still be considered a long shot.
