Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins will ‘Open’ again according to ESPN
Since being released by the Cardinals, DeAndre Hopkins has been the subject of numerous reports regarding his future. He seems receptive to rejoining with quarterback Deshaun Watson of the Browns, a former colleague of his with the Texans.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN has written about Hopkins’ probable new teams, saying that the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs may be “threats” to sign him. Hopkins is requesting a favorable contract, therefore for these teams, the money component may be a problem.
https://twitter.com/DeAndreHopkins/status/1658178317286260736?s=20
ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀᴢ 𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘! pic.twitter.com/l7RB5aZlxE
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) May 26, 2023
Fowler said that Hopkins might have another good choice with the Browns, claiming that he “senses” Hopkins will be willing to play alongside Watson once more. The Browns could be viewed as a “dark horse” in the race for Hopkins even if they may not be strong competitors.
After being chosen 12th overall in the NFL Draught, Watson joined Hopkins on the Texans in 2017. Hopkins amassed 315 receptions, 4,115 receiving yards, and 31 touchdowns between 2017 and 2019; a major amount of those totals came from passes Watson threw. The pair displayed great chemistry while working together.
“Defeat is a state of mind; no one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as a reality.” — Bruce Lee pic.twitter.com/9LuJYZ0st3
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) October 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/DeAndreHopkins/status/1624483558516744193?s=20
Hopkins was obtained by the Arizona Cardinals in a trade with the Houston Texans in March 2020. He had an immediate impact in his first season with the Cardinals, grabbing 115 receptions for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns. But because to injuries, he was only able to play in 10 games the next season, recording 42 grabs for 572 yards.
The 30-year-old wide receiver is an intimidating figure on any squad at 6’1″ and 212 pounds. Hopkins demonstrated his value as a dependable top target despite difficulties throughout the 2022 season, such as a ban for breaking the league’s rules on performance-enhancing drugs and multiple missed games.
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Hopkins revealed his preferences for his next team during a recent episode of the I Am Athlete podcast, which was recorded while he was still with the Cardinals. The wide receiver emphasized the importance of having a quarterback who truly enjoys the game and can motivate the entire squad.
Hopkins also emphasized the value of a strong defense, emphasizing the proverb “defense wins championships” and the significance of a strong defensive line. Hopkins stated that he has already worked under four different general managers in the course of his career, making team management stability a priority.
This is what #Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins is looking for on his next team:
* QB that loves the game and brings everyone on board with him
* Great defense – "Defense wins championships. Gotta have a great D-Line"
* Stable management – Because he says he's been through 4 GMs in… pic.twitter.com/PFoj2efyrN
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 26, 2023
It’s unclear which team will ultimately sign DeAndre Hopkins, but the Browns and Deshaun Watson are definitely a possibility as the free agency market develops.