BREAKING: The Cardinals Have Released WR DeAndre Hopkins

The DeAndre Hopkins saga is come to an end this afternoon. According to the team, the Arizona Cardinals have released Hopkins.

The Arizona Cardinals opened up their OTAs on Monday. However, star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was not in attendance. Hopkins was the subject of trade rumors all offseason. So, that wasn’t all that surprising. However, today’s decision to release Hopkins caught me off guard.

When asked about Hopkins’ absence and his future in Arizona earlier this week, head coach Jonathan Gannon played things close to the vest. “We’ve had good conversations. I’ll keep those between us,” Gannon said. “But I like Hop.”

According to a story on the team’s website: “with the team resetting its roster under a new GM and coach, and with Hopkins carrying a $30 million salary cap charge while missing 15 of the past 26 games between suspension and injury, moving on from the soon-to-be 31-year-old made sense.”

The Cardinals searched for a trade partner “for weeks” but couldn’t find a one, or a deal that worked for all sides. Hopkins now becomes a free agent and can sign with any team.

So, what’s next?

DeAndre Hopkins discussed the three things he wants in his next playing situation on that episode of the ‘I AM ATHLETE’ podcast. 

“What I want is stable management upstairs. That’s something I haven’t really had the past couple years of my career coming from Houston and then to Arizona,” he said. “A QB who loves the game, a QB who brings everybody on board with him, not just himself but everybody. … And a great defense. A great defense wins championships.”