Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins wants stable management, committed QB amid OTA absence

DeAndre Hopkins isn’t getting any younger and is in win-now mode at this point in his career.

That doesn’t mean he can’t do that with the Arizona Cardinals. With recent trade rumors surrounding the star wide receiver running rampant, Hopkins laid out his list of needs for the Cardinals to check off amid his OTA absence.

“What I want is stable management upstairs. I think that’s something I haven’t really had the past couple years of my career coming from Houston and then to Arizona,” Hopkins said on the ‘I AM ATHLETE’ podcast. “I’ve been through three or four GMs in my career, so a stable management.

“[I want] a QB who loves the game, a QB who brings everybody on board with him and pushes not just himself but everybody around him. … and a great defense. A great defense wins championships.”

Is that some potential shade toward Cardinals QB1 Kyler Murray? Possibly, but if Arizona doesn’t have him, who else could it be? That’s another move for upper management to discuss, but would only add fuel to the fire to a potential Hopkins trade request.

Teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills have already been discussed as potential destinations for the superstar wideout.

Hints that the Cardinals wideout said recently might made those rumors seem to be just that — rumors. Hopkins couldn’t ignore the outpouring of support from Cardinals fans wanting him to stay with the franchise.

“I see everyone wants me to stay,” Hopkins said from Arizona earlier this month. “Who said I wanna go? Who said I wanted to leave? I’m out here working baby.”

Bills star Von Miller told reporters that, “you never know until you know,” about a potential trade involving Hopkins. Miller says he speaks to Hopkins all the time, and both parties realize that the addition of Hopkins to the Bills’ offense could be what the team needs to get over the hump and finally claim a Super Bowl.

Hopkins suited up in nine games for the Cardinals this past season, hauling in 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns. During his first season with the Cardinals in 2020, Hopkins recorded 115 catches with 1,407 and six scores. 

Prior to his arrival in Arizona, Hopkins spent seven seasons with the Houston Texans and had five 1,000-yard seasons while a part of the organization. Whether in Arizona, Buffalo or elsewhere, Hopkins is due for another breakout season in 2023.