Just two days after SI.com’s Albert Breer reported the free-agent market for DeAndre Hopkins has been tepid, we may finally know exactly why.
According to a report from Tim Graham of The Athletic, Hopkins is seeking a contract similar to the one-year, $15 million deal with up to $3 million in incentives that Odell Beckham Jr. got from the Baltimore Ravens in mid-April.
A lucrative contract such as that would logistically knock the Buffalo Bills — a reported front-runner to sign Hopkins — out of the equation. Buffalo has just $1.40 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, and the team simply doesn’t have the funds available to sign Hopkins.
The Athletic confirmed that Bills general manager Brandon Beane had spoken to Hopkins directly since being release by the Cardinals. It was also confirmed that Hopkins prefers to play with quarterback Josh Allen, however, his desire to be highly paid outweighs his desire to play with a premium QB.
The salary Hopkins is reportedly seeking isn’t too far off from the $19.45 million he was due to make in 2023 with Arizona. In fact, that inflated salary is most of the reason why the Cardinals couldn’t find a trade partner for the 30-year-old receiver during the offseason.
Despite his lavish contract demands, Hopkins still has a few suitors. ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported that the New England Patriots have interest in Hopkins, and the Houston Chronicle reported that Hopkins is open to a reunion with his former team, the Houston Texans.
