The Arizona Cardinals floated wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in NFL trade rumors for weeks, hoping to find a Super Bowl contender willing to trade a premium draft pick for him. With no deal on the table, Hopkins was released and provided the freedom to pick his next team.
Hopkins, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, immediately received interest from multiple teams after becoming a free agent. He is weighing several factors in his evaluation process, with money, organizational stability and quarterback play all influencing his decision.
Related: NFL reporter reveals what DeAndre Hopkins wants from teams
While the field of teams interested in Hopkins included more than a half dozen teams, the market has slowed down in recent days with a favorite reportedly emerging and others dropping out of the mix to sign him.
- DeAndre Hopkins stats (career): 853 receptions, 11,298 receiving yards, 71 touchdowns
Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com reports that Hopkins signing with the Cleveland Browns is a strong possibility, with the All-Pro wide receiver and quarterback Deshaun Watson both very interested in a reunion.
The Houston Texans have also been in the mix for Hopkins. While the team traded him in 2020, the people responsible for the deal have since left the organization. With C.J. Stroud off to a strong start, the Texans want to help surround him with more weapons. However, Wilson notes that it’s very unlikely Houston winds up signing Hopkins.
Related: New England Patriots coach could cost them DeAndre Hopkins
With the Browns now the favorites to sign Hopkins, here are the other NFL rumors on where things stand with other interested clubs.
Field of suitors narrowing for DeAndre Hopkins
With the Texans believed to be out of the mix for Hopkins, his field of suitors has narrowed quickly. The New York Jets publicly stated they won’t be pursuing him, with head coach Robert Saleh stating the franchise is happy with its options at wide receiver.
- DeAndre Hopkins career earnings: $111.577 million
While the Dallas Cowboys were floated as a possibility, previous reports indicate there is a very low likelihood of the club seriously pursuing him. Instead, Dallas is focused on addressing its uncertainty at kicker before training camp.
While the Buffalo Bills were originally believed to be in a battle with the Kansas City Chiefs for Hopkins, that’s reportedly no longer the case. Tim Graham of the Athletic explained why it’s a “long shot” that Buffalo signs Hopkins, with league executives sharing their belief that the star wide receiver is out of Buffalo’s price range.
With the Cowboys, Jets, Bills and Texans seemingly out of the mix, Hopkins’ top suitors become the Chiefs, Browns, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots. ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported on June 1 that New England remains in the mix for Hopkins and the NFL star is expected to visit several teams in the coming weeks.
The veteran wideout is expected to take his time before making a decision, with early indications that training camp is a hard deadline for him to sign with a new team.
