The Green Bay Packers have already had a franchise-altering few years. Of course, this off-season was headlined by the massive Aaron Rodgers trade. Last off-season the major Davante Adams trade saw #17 depart Green Bay for the Las Vegas Raiders. Now that the dust has settled, news outlets are reporting rumblings of something that could greatly impact the Green Bay Packers’ 2023 season.
DeAndre Hopkins’ Release From The Arizona Cardinals Looms Large For The Green Bay Packers
According to Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, the Cardinals have released DeAndre Hopkins. The Cardinals were reportedly looking to shop the All-Pro wide receiver this offseason as the veteran player wasn’t patient in waiting for Kyler Murray to return from injury in the middle of the season.
The Green Bay Packers were named by several media outlets as a potential trade option for Hopkins. Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst both expressed interest in adding a veteran wide receiver this off-season. However, they may have some rival competition. According to Freddie Boston of Fansided:
ESPN’s Mina Kimes listed teams that should aggressively pursue Hopkins. At the top were the Detroit Lions.
It would make all the sense in the world for Dan Campbell’s team. The Lions have a roster built to win the NFC North and make a run in a wide-open conference. An area they need to improve is wide receiver, especially with second-year Jameson Williams suspended for six games.
Financially, the Lions could afford to offer Hopkins what he wants. According to Over The Cap, only the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers have more cap space than Detroit.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills might seem more appealing to Hopkins, but they are among the three teams with the lowest cap space available.
Detroit would pair Hopkins with Pro Bowler Amon-Ra St. Brown, rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, Marvin Jones, and Williams once he’s back from suspension. It would give the Lions a scary receiving corps, and that’s concerning for the Packers.
Not long ago, the Packers would’ve been the perfect landing spot for Hopkins. They had Aaron Rodgers, a dominant offense, and could promise a Super Bowl push.
That’s gone. The Lions are now the team to beat in the NFC North. If they are in the mix for Hopkins, it could be disastrous for the Packers.
For years now the Green Bay Packers have been quietly linked to the all-pro wide receiver, however, if they don’t act fast they could see him lining up against them twice a year.
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