Rumors have been flying for much of the offseason that Arizona Cardinals wideout DeAndre Hopkins is on the trade market.
And if he does get moved, Hopkins wouldn't mind playing with Lamar Jackson, as he told the I Am Athlete podcast (52-minute mark):
"I love Lamar Jackson. Lamar Jackson's one of my favorite athletes since I've been watching sports. I'm a sports fan, so I was watching Lamar when he played Clemson ... and I was like, 'Who is this kid?' I've been a fan of Lamar for a long time. Obviously, he's one of the greats. I would be lying to sit here and say it wouldn't be an honor one day, if my career allows me to play that long, to play with a great guy and a great quarterback like Lamar."
Any change in scenery for the veteran wideout is increasing unlikely this offseason, based on new general manager Monti Ossenfort's comments in late April:
Josh Weinfuss @joshweinfuss"I don't foresee that happening." - Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort on Arizona trading WR DeAndre Hopkins.
Josh Weinfuss @joshweinfussMore from Monti Ossenfort on DeAndre Hopkins: "DeAndre's a Cardinal and we're moving forward."
Hopkins, 30, is still a difference-maker. While injuries and a suspension cost him eight games last season, he still notched 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns in essentially half a season.
As for what he wants to see from the Cardinals going forward, Hopkins was pretty forthright on Monday:
"What I want is stable management upstairs I think that's something that I haven't really had the past couple years of my career coming from Houston to being in Arizona; I've been through three to four GMs in my career. ... A QB who loves the game, a QB who brings everybody on board with him, pushes not just himself but people around him. I don't need a great QB—I've done it with subpar QBs—just a QB who loves the game like I do. And a great defense. I think defense wins championships.
It's hard not to read those comments as a shot at both Arizona's front office, though Hopkins noted that Kyler Murray does love football but will be hurt for a chunk of the season as he recovers from a torn ACL.
Dov Kleiman @NFL_DovKleiman<a href="">#Cardinals</a> WR DeAndre Hopkins was asked which QBs he'd like to play with, his answer:<br><br>1) <a href="">#Bills</a> Josh Allen<br>2) <a href="">#Eagles</a> Jalen Hurts<br>3) <a href="">#Chiefs</a> Patrick Mahomes<br>4) <a href="">#Ravens</a> Lamar Jackson<br>5) <a href="">#Chargers</a> Justin Herbert<br><br>(via <a href="">@IAMATHLETEpod</a>) <a href="">
The Ravens, meanwhile, have one of the better front offices in football and Jackson at quarterback, though the team appeared to address a major need at wide receiver this offseason by signing Odell Beckham Jr. and drafting Zay Flowers in the first round.
Hopkins would undoubtedly be an upgrade. It just currently seems unlikely he'll be changing addresses this summer.
