DeAndre Hopkins is the hottest free agent out there after being released. But some of the biggest teams linked to him have big reasons not to sign him.
The Cardinals couldn't find a trade partner to ship out DeAndre Hopkins so they started the weekend by releasing him. Now, half of the NFL is being linked to the former All-Pro.
Fans all over the country have found reasons to dream of signing a shiny new target. Hopkins is without a doubt the most intriguing free agent to follow this summer. He's fed into it all by naming quarterbacks he admires, spawning rumors on rumors.
But only one team is going to actually manage to sign him, leaving most of those dreamers disappointed. And realistically, it's already clear why most of the teams will miss on him.
Let's run it down…
1 big reason each DeAndre Hopkins suitor won't sign star WR
Chiefs and Bills: The price won't come down
The Chiefs and the Bills were among the biggest teams linked to Hopkins after he was released and for good reason. Both have elite quarterbacks the receiver would love to play for and both reportedly tried to make a trade happen.
They also both have the same issues: Limited salary cap space and the need for Hopkins to take less money.
Hopkins may want to play for a contender, but who doesn't?
Time and time again we've seen players ultimately chose the bigger contract on a non-contender rather than actually taking the pay cut. And Hopkins is sure to have offers from teams with more financial flexibility to draw him away from his stated desire to catch passes from Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen.
1 big reason each DeAndre Hopkins suitor won't sign star WR
Patriots: Bill Belichick and O'Brien
The Patriots hired Bill O'Brien to save their offense. O'Brien was the head coach of the Texans for all but one of DeAndre Hopkins' seven seasons in Houston. The two have connections!
It's just that connections aren't always a positive.
Hopkins' publically stated that he had no relationship with O'Brien despite being the star player on his team for years. So it's not like the wide receiver will be knocking down the door to go play for him again.
Then there's Bill Belichick. Yes, the head coach was incredibly complimentary for Hopkins last year, calling him "every bit as good as anybody I've ever coached against."
Despite that, the Patriots just aren't ones to splash cash on wide receivers, especially ones on the wrong side of 30. Imagining Belichick signing off on upwards of $15 million for Hopkins is a stretch and a half.
1 big reason each DeAndre Hopkins suitor won't sign star WR
Cowboys: Special teams
What's going to stop the Cowboys from going after DeAndre Hopkins? Special teams.
That was the nugget delivered by Michael Gehlken after the Hopkins release. Basically, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and Brandin Cooks don't participate in special teams and a fourth non-special teams contributor in the wide receiver room could lead to "a problematic game-day roster composition."
And as ridiculous as it sounds to say Dallas could forgo a Pro Bowl wide receiver for the sake of special teams, it's really just one piece of the puzzle.
Gehlken also referenced CeeDee Lamb's impending contract needs. His fifth-year option isn't cheap.
Like the Chiefs, Bills and Patriots, the Cowboys will need to be fervent in their desire for Hopkins if they want to outbid the rest of the field. And just as with those teams, it feels more likely than not the interest will fall away.
1 big reason each DeAndre Hopkins suitor won't sign star WR
Ravens: Odell Beckham Jr.
One of the things Lamar Jackson wanted before signing a new contract with the Ravens was both Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins.
He got OBJ. And now Hopkins is there for the taking.
But getting both those receivers always seemed farfetched and maybe even ill-advised. Beckham got a one-year, $15 million contract, setting the market for Hopkins at least that high.
Even if Baltimore wanted to give Jackson exactly what he wanted, $30 million wrapped up in two aging wide receivers who have dealt with injury problems has got to be a step too far.
Moreover, the Ravens drafted Zay Flowers in the first round, signed Nelson Agholor and still hope to see Rashad Bateman progress. The wide receiver room is solid.
Again, it would take Hopkins accepting significantly less money than he could get on the open market to expect him to sign with Baltimore. While not impossible, it's unlikely.