NFL insider gives insight on Chiefs' interest in WR DeAndre Hopkins
There usually isn't a lot of big NFL news in late May, but this past week was an exception. The Arizona Cardinals released five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on Friday. The Cardinals released Hopkins, who turns 31 next week, because they were unable to find a trade partner. Hopkins' expensive cap hit made […]
There usually isn't a lot of big NFL news in late May, but this past week was an exception.
The Arizona Cardinals released five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on Friday.
The Cardinals released Hopkins, who turns 31 next week, because they were unable to find a trade partner. Hopkins' expensive cap hit made it impossible for several interested teams to trade for the superstar wide receiver.
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the teams that's been connected to Hopkins this offseason. And it's assumed that they'll explore signing Hopkins, though their salary cap situation will make that difficult.
According to NFL insider Albert Breer, who covers the NFL for Sports Illustrated, the Chiefs received permission to speak to Hopkins earlier this offseason. Breer reported that Kansas City spoke to Hopkins before the 2023 NFL Draft. Hopkins' contract was the "hurdle" that prevented KC from trading for him.
Breer noted that Kansas City likes Hopkins, but the recent deal they gave offensive lineman Donovan Smith will make it difficult to sign the former Clemson wide receiver (Smith has a $2.76 million cap hit in 2023).
The Chiefs are near the bottom of the league in available salary cap space. They would need to restructure some contracts (Patrick Mahomes, specifically) and/or give defensive lineman Chris Jones an extension (which would free up cap space). Kansas City can make it happen, but it's not like they're going to give Hopkins a blank check even if they do free up plenty of space.
Hopkins hasn't played a full season since 2020 and he was suspended for testing positive for PEDs last season. The Chiefs could certainly use another wide receiver — especially one as talented as Hopkins — but at the same time, Hopkins could use the Chiefs. A year with Patrick Mahomes could lead to a more lucrative contract for Hopkins after next season (assuming he plays at a high level).
If the Chiefs really want to add Hopkins to their roster, they should try to come to an agreement on a heavily incentivized deal. If Hopkins is serious about wanting to win a Super Bowl, he'll work with Kansas City's front office to work out a sensible deal that makes both sides happy.
