Bedard: DeAndre Hopkins released by Cardinals, could the Patriots land him?

News item:

The Cardinals have released receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Hopkins was due non-guaranteed base salaries of $19.45M in 2023, and $14.915M in 2024.

As I've previously reported, the Patriots have shown some interest in Hopkins before his release. But the totality of his situation — contract, amount he practices, injury history, age — have kept them from getting serious.

I do expect them to get involved now that the contract has been eliminated. Do I expect them to be serious suitors, and do I think they have a good chance to land him?

BEDARD'S ANALYSIS

I think the Patriots will make a run at this, but the only way they end up with Hopkins is if they step up to the plate with among the highest offers.

If Bill Belichick does what he usually does — "This is what we can offer you, take it or leave it" — then I think Hopkins goes to another team, and you have to fear the other teams in the division, especially the Bills.

I do not think Hopkins will automatically go to the team with the best chance to win the Super Bowl. He's never been that kind of player. He likes his money, so this is a case where the highest offer could very well land Hopkins. 

The Patriots right now are 8th in effective cap space. And they can do some other things to free up more. If the Patriots want the player, they could land him with the biggest offer. The chances Belichick does that are not good.

I would expect the Panthers, Lions, Colts, Packers and Saints — all teams with more cap space — to come calling, along with the title contenders like Dallas, Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, 49ers, Seahawks, etc. So the Patriots can't cheap out on the offer.

Again, I do not think the Bill O'Brien factor is much of a hindrance. It's been completely overblown because Hopkins, again, likes his money. I think O'Brien was fine with Hopkins, but with the contract and ownership forcing O'Brien's hand, Hopkins was dealt away. Hopkins had some great years in this offense.

I think this solely comes down to Belichick and how far he is willing to go on the contract. If he offers Hopkins what he did Antonio Brown, the Patriots have a good shot at landing Hopkins.

I doubt that happens. That was the one time Belichick did something like that, and he got burned. Could be a factor this time.