On Friday, the Arizona Cardinals released veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
There had been previous trade discussions involving D-Hop, but the Cardinals were apparently unable to get a deal done.
So, why did the team let their WR1 walk?
According to team insider Kyle Odegard, there was some contention between the two parties after Hopkins elected to sit out the final two games of the 2022 season.
“DeAndre Hopkins upset some in the Cardinals organization by sitting out the final two games of the 2022 season even though he was healthy, per sources. It may have been a sticky situation if he remained with the team until the trade deadline,” Odegard reports.
DeAndre Hopkins upset some in the Cardinals organization by sitting out the final two games of the 2022 season even though he was healthy, per sources. It may have been a sticky situation if he remained with the team until the trade deadline.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) May 26, 2023
Hopkins just finished his third season with the Arizona franchise. After missing the first six games of the 2022 season with a PED suspension, the three-time All-Pro pass catcher reeled in 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns through nine games.
With the release of Hopkins, the Cardinals incur a $21 million dead cap hit.