The Arizona Cardinals made a significant move on Friday morning, releasing star receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who had a tumultuous 2022 season, marred by a six-game PED suspension and a knee strain that caused him to miss the final games of the year.
Earlier this week, Hopkins went on the "I Am Athlete" podcast, where he shared that his primary goals for his next team were stable management from the front office, a quarterback who loves the games and is loved by his teammates, and a great defense.
What's DeAndre Hopkins looking for from his next team?
•Stable management
•A QB who loves the game
•A great defense, because defense wins championships 🏆Where do YOU wanna see DHop land next? 🤔💭
Full convo w/ @DeAndreHopkins 📺 → https://t.co/w4EE8hTUHi pic.twitter.com/QQ3BNXBzEU
— I AM ATHLETE (@IAMATHLETEpod) May 26, 2023
Well, be it as it may, the San Francisco 49ers cover all three of the goals, and recently freed up cap space with the restructure of running back Christian McCaffrey, which has them at $10.8 million in space.
Should the 49ers entertain the idea of potentially signing DeAndre Hopkins?
The quick answer? No.
Hopkins is, almost assuredly, still a top receiver in the game, hence his former contract and interest from playoff contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills.
However, the stars simply don't align in San Francisco.
First of all, the 49ers already have a stable core of wide receivers in Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and Jauan Jennings, who fit the mold of what the team desires in their room.
Additionally, the 49ers only have $10.8 million in cap space, which may not be enough to attract Hopkins with his current contract demands on a deal that isn't revolved around heavy incentives.
Does Hopkins improve the wide receiver room? Absolutely. But, the 49ers could look to utilize that cap space to fill needs, such as depth at defensive end or for a backup tackle, while also looking to save money for midseason additions, such as their trade for Christian McCaffrey last season.
The culture fit is also another question mark, as Hopkins and cornerback Charvarius Ward have traded shots on social media, with the latter infamously calling the receiver "steroid boy" after their matchup this season.
Hopkins also may look for more stable quarterback play, as he named Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson as players he'd like to catch passes from.
Hopkins would be an intriguing signing that raises the short-term outlook of the 49ers, but his impact on the team may not be as significant as he wishes, given the crowded receiver room.
Overall, the fit is questionable, while the money likely won't add up for Hopkins, especially after the deal that Odell Beckham Jr. received from the Ravens, making the 49ers a sub-optimal landing spot for the receiver.
