Should the Chicago Bears trade for this veteran receiver?
By Peter Jurich
On Tuesday, it was made public that the Arizona Cardinals may be looking to trade veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins, per TheScore’s Jordan Schultz. Hopkins, who has two years remaining on his current deal, missed the first six games of 2022 due to a PED suspension, but played well in nine games, accumulating over 700 yards before missing the final two games of the season due to a Grade 1 MCL sprain. Should the Chicago Bears be interested in his services?
Deandre Hopkins has been a dominant receiver for his entire career
Hopkins, who will be 31 years old by the time the 2023 season kicks off, has recorded 1,000 or more receiving yards in six seasons, despite being unable to do so in either of the past two. With 71 receiving touchdowns through 10 seasons, Hopkins has been one of the true elite receivers since joining the league in 2013.
It is no question that Hopkins is past his prime. Between the 2017 and 2018 seasons, Hopkins recorded 2,960 yards and 24 touchdowns over two seasons, and while no season since then has been as productive, there is still a lot of talent that Hopkins brings to the table.
The Chicago Bears could acquire Hopkins as their number-one receiver
A true number-one receiver, Hopkins can still win on almost every route and can beat defenders with his size, speed, and route running. In 2020, Hopkins was traded from the Texans to the Cardinals for running back David Johnson, a second-round pick, and a future fourth-round pick. Considering his age, injury history, and lack of recent production, it is quite possible that the Bears could acquire the receiver for much less than that price tag.
Hopkins will likely be in the market for a new extension wherever he is traded, as he is a free agent after the 2024 season, but there is no indication that this number would be hard for the Bears to match. For both the Chicago Bears and Hopkins himself, a trade to be Justin Fields’ number-one receiver seems like a positive, as the receiver would likely find more volume and targets with the Bears than he would with most other offenses.
The Cardinals, who are currently looking for a new general manager and head coach, would likely value future draft capital over a soon-to-be 31-year-old receiver who seems to be displeased in Arizona. Adding him to the wide receiver group could be exciting.