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Arizona Cardinals: 3 reasons why teams won’t trade for DeAndre Hopkins

By Sion Fawkes

Dec 18, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Cardinals will likely trade DeAndre Hopkins in the offseason. But will they have a tough time finding a trading partner? 

If I had to describe the early stages of the Arizona Cardinals offseason in one word, it would be polarizing. You have several camps regarding who the head coach should be, then there are multiple camps on what to do with DeAndre Hopkins, whether Kyler Murray would be a sound starting quarterback, and whether general manager Monti Ossenfort was the right hire.

Personally, I’m in the Trade Hopkins Camp, because he’s still in his prime and productive enough for the Cardinals to get some sound compensation for him. But today, I’m going to go against my own argument and tell you why the Arizona Cardinals would have a tough time trading Hopkins for some valuable compensation. Let’s dive in.

Arizona Cardinals
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 13: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a catch in front of David Long Jr. #22 of the Los Angeles Rams during a 27-17 win at SoFi Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

1 – Hopkins played in just 19 games in 2021-22

Injuries and a six-game suspension limited Hopkins over the past two seasons. Out of 34 regular season games, he played in just 19, or 55.8%. That percentage dips even lower when you consider that Hopkins missed the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams in January 2022.

Since he missed so much time, with nine of those 15 games missed because of injury, Hopkins carries a significant risk. Sure, a team that believes Hopkins is their missing link between a Lombardi would probably be cool with giving up a late first round pick here. But it could occur only after Monti Ossenfort comes up with a decent sales pitch and some assurance.

Because of Hopkins’ recent injury history, the Arizona Cardinals may not make such a trade until after the NFL Draft. At this point, any would-be contender who missed on a receiver in free agency and the draft may call, but the (presumed) first round pick acquired for Hopkins wouldn’t come until 2024.