I’m sure many Cheeseheads clicked into this article ready to scream “the Packers don’t have money for DeAndre Hopkins.”
Relax. I will address all of your salary cap concerns, but first let’s address the Hopkins to Green Bay potential.
Green Bay is currently listed by DraftKings Sportsbook as the favorite for Hopkins at +330. They followed by the New England Patriots (+450), the Kansas City Chiefs (+500) and the New York Giants (+750). Every other NFL franchise was at least 10-1 to get a deal done.
This wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen something like this. For the past few years, every time a prominent wide receiver becomes even remotely available, Green Bay is put at the top of the potential destination list. And then, as is Green Bay tradition, they will not make a move and tell us they tried their hardest.
But maybe this is different. Maybe this is the move that makes sense. There are legitimate reasons this feels not only probable but like a no-brainer.
Does the money work?
The salary cap number in an individual year in the NFL isn’t as important as your long-term goal. Any given offseason a team can go through and restructure a bunch of their comment contracts, just as Green Bay did last season. There are a number of Packers that make sense to restructure and maybe even a few that make sense to cut this will be happening whether or not they pursue a trade for DeAndre Hopkins.
Regardless of those potential moves the Hopkins cap hit isn’t nearly what people make it out to be. He is currently signed through the 2024 season. His current cap numbers are $30,750,000 in 2023 and $26,215,000 in 2024. Those are monsters. But when the Cardinals decide to trade Hopkins they will most likely do it post June 1st. The Cardinals would carry $11,300,000 of his salary on each of the final remaining years. That would make his cap number next season $19,450,000 and just $14,915,000 in the final year of the deal. Those are not devastating numbers for a wide receiver of his capability. It wouldn’t even be a top 15 contract at his position. If you believe Hopkins could return to form, that’s a steal. Especially considering they could convert some of it to bonus once he’s on the team and spread it out over void years. Adam Thielen is scheduled to make 19 million dollars next season.
Is he still good?
I know what you’re saying. The last two years DeAndre Hopkins has underperformed and not been healthy. You’re not wrong. In 2021 he only played in 10 games notching 572 yd and 8 touchdowns. In 2022 He only appeared in nine games getting 717 yards and three touchdowns. Although this makes it look like Hopkins has an issue getting on the field that was only really the case in 2021. Last season Hopkins this past season Hopkins was suspended for the first six games and then put on IR after the Cardinals were eliminated, most likely to protect his trade value. 2021 is the only real injury written year on Hopkins resume. You only have to go back to 2020 to find a time when Hopkins was in the conversation for best wide receiver in the league. He played in all 16 games Grabbing 115 catches for 1407 yd and 6 touchdowns. And fun fact about that 2020 season… the passing game coordinator was Tom Clements. Yes, the exact Clements that is the Packers current quarterbacks coach.
When Hopkins and Murray were both on the field together this year he showed flashes of that same player from a couple years ago. 31 is not old, especially when you’re considering the short championship window if Aaron Rodgers decides to return. You would be buying low on a guy who still has the ability to be elite. And you’d be betting against an organization that has proven severely dysfunctional. I love those odds.
The quarterback situation.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback room is at a crossroads. It’s hard to imagine next year’s team will have both a future Hall of Famer and promising young starter sitting behind him.
Brian Gutekunst has tried his best to play both sides of the line. Competing now while also building for the future. That methodology has cost the team dearly. And it may not be an option this time.
Jordan Love may force his hand.
Jason Wilde reported that Love would likely seek a trade if Aaron Rodgers decides to return. Although Love may not have any official leverage we’ve come to learn that if somebody wants out, they’ll get out. If Rogers returns, and the Packers have to trade Love, the team will have no choice except to go all in. There’d be no illusion of what’s immediately behind Rodgers. No straddling. At that point It would be beyond bad management to not throw everything you have at this last opportunity. Get your title, Rodgers ries off into the sunset, and Green Bay starts a rebuild happily. Just two Super Bowl titles over 40 years of Hall of Fame quarterback play is completely unacceptable. Gutekunst would be wise to go all in if this is the way it goes.
The Woodson/White factor
The Green Bay Way has proven ineffective. Building through the draft and never taking chances on trades or free agents has never worked. The two times this team has won a Super Bowl they’ve gone out and signed generational free agents. Reggie White for the Brett Favre Super Bowl and Charles Woodson for the Aaron Rodgers Super Bowl. The Green Bay Way gets you pretty far but it needs a push over the edge. Hopkins could be that push. I truly believe the defense will continue on an upward trajectory next season even if Joe Barry stays as coordinator. Aaron Rodgers will be healthy and the young wide receivers will have a full year in the system. Taking a chance on DeAndre Hopkins pays off huge if he shows up even 80% of his former self. He’s a Hall of Fame, game-changing superstar and could be the reason this team hoists the Lombardi trophy next season. It’s time for this team to finally go all in. DeAndre Hopkins is a no-brainer.
