DeAndre Hopkins’ future with the Arizona Cardinals is still up in the air, and the star wide receiver made it clear what he’s looking for in a franchise front office: stability.
Hopkins appeared on a recent episode of the «I Am Athlete» podcast and discussed what he’s looking for above.
«What I want is stable management up front. I think that’s something I haven’t really had in the last two years of my career, coming from Houston to Arizona. I’ve been through three or four GMs in my career.» Hopkins. saying. «…A quarterback who loves the game, a quarterback who brings everyone on board with him, pushes not only himself but the people around him. I don’t need a great quarterback, I I’ve done with mediocre quarterbacks, just a quarterback who loves the game like I do. And great defense. I think defense wins championships.»
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DeAndre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals talks to a referee against the Denver Broncos in the first half at Empower Field at Mile High on December 18, 2022 in Denver. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
«To me, that’s it. Great management, a quarterback who loves the game and great defense.»
Arizona acquired Hopkins in a highly successful trade with the Houston Texans in 2020. He was a Pro Bowler in his first season in Arizona, but injuries and a suspension to start the 2022 season hurt him.
Hopkins is away from the team and training in Toronto, according to NFL.com. With new management at the front office and on the coaching staff, it’s unclear where he stands in the organization.
The five-time Pro Bowler said he likes living in Phoenix while playing for the Cardinals, but he knows the NFL is a business and his status with the team could change at any time.
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DeAndre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Norma Hall/Getty Images)
Hopkins still has two seasons left on his contract and isn’t paying attention to any of the critics after playing in just 19 games over the past two seasons.
«I don’t feel belittled by that at all. I know I’m the best in the NFL,» he added. «Only me personally, I know where I am. I know what I’ve done with everything I’ve had around me… Like you said, I haven’t played two full seasons. I don’t like to talk about the above, I don’t like to talk in past. That’s what’s on my record right now. All I can do is get out this year and go to work. That’s it.»
In 35 games at Arizona, he has 221 catches for 2,696 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The Cardinals will start with fewer personnel in 2023. Quarterback Kyler Murray tore his ACL in the final game of the regular season and is unlikely to be ready. Colt McCoy, Clayton Tune, Jeff Driskel and David Blough are on the Cardinals’ roster right now.
When asked if he would trade Hopkins during the NFL Draft, general manager Monti Ossenfort all but shut it down.
DeAndre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals looks on as he takes the field before a game with the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on November 6, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
«I don’t anticipate that happening,» Ossenfort said in April. “I don’t know what will happen here in the next few days. Right now, I don’t foresee that happening, no.
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«DeAndre is a cardinal and we are moving forward.»
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.