Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals HC not worried star WR no-showed voluntary workouts

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/12/23

As the Arizona Cardinals and first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon gathered at the team facility on Tuesday for the first day of voluntary workouts, there was one absence that stood out more than others.

Disgruntled receiver DeAndre Hopkins was in Houston, working out at his own at a gym while he waits for his status with the team to be resolved. Gannon, however, stated he isn’t reading too much into Hopkins’ no-show.

"I've been in communication with D-Hop, and I want to do what's best for him and us at the same time," Gannon told reporters. "So, when he's ready to come, he'll come, and improve his game, too."

Hopkins played just nine games for the Cardinals in 2022 after missing the first six games due to a suspension and the final two games after suffering a knee injury. He totaled 64 receptions, 717 yards and three touchdowns. Hopkins was limited to 10 games the season before after suffering a torn MCL against the Rams in Week 14.

"They’re probably going to have to come to understand that they’re not going to get as much as they would if he was a younger player or his contract was considerably lower."

Ex-Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim tells Chris Long about the challenges of trading DeAndre Hopkins
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) April 6, 2023

Arizona reportedly granted Hopkins permission to seek a trade, but the expectation is he will be released because teams aren’t willing to meet Arizona's asking price — reportedly a second-round pick plus more — and absorb Hopkins’ $29.9 million cap hit in 2023.

Trading the 30-year-old wideout pre-June 1 would cost the Cardinals $21.07 million in dead money and save them just $8.9 million. However, a post-June 1 cut would save them $19.45 million in cap space.

Ex-Cardinals GM Steve Keim when talking about DeAndre Hopkins and his contract while on the Green Light Podcast with Chris Long:

“I negotiated with Hop. … I can tell you that’s not the easiest thing in the world.” (1/2)
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) April 6, 2023