NEWSLETTER
The playoffs haven’t even started yet, and the rumor mill is already getting going with a report this afternoon that the Cardinals will try to trade DeAndre Hopkins this offseason.
Jordan Schultz of The Score reported that Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill will communicate this plan with potential GM candidates during the interview process.
A few things jump out at me immediately (setting aside Bears-specific implications for the moment). Number one, Arizona has no GM and no head coach right now, so it seems like a weird time for the owner to be talking about trading away on of their best players and their quarterback’s best weapon.
But, as the report by Schultz states, Bidwill will express his desires to potential GM candidates in the interview process, so while I wouldn’t expect to see any real smoke around this until at least Arizona hires a GM, it seems like something that will pick up steam after the postseason.
Also, Hopkins has a full no-trade clause, so not only will Bidwill have to convince a potential GM candidate to trade an All-Pro wide receiver this offseason, but that GM will have to do so with Hopkins getting the final say on where he goes.
Schultz’s report indicated that Hopkins would be seeking a new contract extension this offseason, which is likely why the Cardinals will look to move on from the 30-year-old receiver, who is owed $34.36 million over two years on his current deal.
As I said, I’m sure we’re still a bit away from this becoming an actual thing, but it’s worth keeping an eye on in the background as I’m sure that there will be plenty of interested teams, at least at some level.
