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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jess Root

Teams holding out on DeAndre Hopkins trade hoping for release

There have been no movement with a potential trade of Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. It would appear either other teams or the Cardinals are trying to force someone’s hand one way or another.

While previous reports about the situation have suggested that the Cardinals will need to either pony up and eat some of Hopkins’ contract or come down off their asking price.

The latest is a possible explanation why teams have not made a move yet.

They are playing a game of chicken.

According to SI.com’s Albert Breer, “some think the lack of action on Hopkins is because potential suitors believe the Cardinals will wind up cutting their 30-year-old star receiver because his age and his contract make him hard to move.”

The Cardinals don’t need to release him, They have plenty of cap space even with him on the roster.

He makes the team better.

This could be a ploy to make the Cardinals think there isn’t enough interest and they need to lower the price.

It could also be a ploy by the Cardinals to motivate a team to make a move because, after a release, the team who wants him most might not be able to sign him, much like center Rodney Hudson for the Raiders two offseasons ago before the Cardinals gave up a third-round pick for him.

The only reason the Cardinals would release him is if they don’t get a deal done and don’t want to carry his dead money beyond this season.

It would not be a football question. It would be a culture and cap question.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

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