The Arizona Cardinals are in a delicate place. Kyler Murray is in the middle of rehabbing a torn ACL. Meanwhile, Arizona not only has a new GM, Monti Ossenfort, it has a new head coach, Jonathan Gannon — the Philadelphia Eagles’ former defensive coordinator.
Needless to say: A lot could be in flux for the Cardinals this offseason.
And one player’s situation, DeAndre Hopkins, is among the more intriguing.
By the time the 2023 season rolls around, Hopkins will be 31 years old. While the playmaker might have something left in the tank, it doesn’t feel likely that a WR with a $30.7 million salary cap hit (per Over The Cap) will stay with a franchise starting over. (Heading to the East Coast is a different story.)
Gannon was honest but cautious when asked about Hopkins’ future with the Cardinals at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. (Peers eyes): almost too cautious. If we’re to read into Gannon’s noncommital answer, then Hopkins’ days in Arizona are probably numbered:
“Yeah, I’m not sure. We’re evaluating everyone.”
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon on whether or not WR DeAndre Hopkins will be on the roster this season pic.twitter.com/OneBMcIUfi
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) February 28, 2023
What was your favorite part here?
Was it when Gannon explicitly says he’s “not sure” about whether Hopkins will be at the team’s minicamp? What about when, mere seconds later, he describes how dangerous of a receiver Hopkins is?
Why it’s almost as if Gannon’s trying to tell prospective GMs that Hopkins is on the trade block and to make him a quality offer! No. Wait. He wouldn’t do that. Would he? (Narrator: It’s the combine, with every team in the league conveniently present. Yes. Yes, he would.)
Hopkins probably still has much to offer as a dynamic No. 1 NFL receiver. And I’m reasonably certain Gannon just told me that any future touchdowns he scores likely wouldn’t be in a Cardinals uniform.
