Arizona Cardinals request hefty compensation for five-time Pro Bowl WR DeAndre Hopkins

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 27, 2022. Nfl Arizona Cardinals Vs Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Chargers At Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly requested “a premium Day 2 pick and more” for five-time Pro Bowl WR DeAndre Hopkins, per ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler.

Even at 30 years old, Hopkins is considered one of the best receivers in the NFL, and deservingly so. 

Though he played a career-low nine games last season, while healthy and available, Hopkins averaged near 80 yards per game on 64 receptions.

While he was a vital part of the Cardinals offense, ever since the beginning of January, there has been immense speculation that Arizona would like to trade away their wide receiver No. 1.

The Cardinals finished with a 4-13 record last season, and based on their moves over the past few months, a rebuild seems inevitable.

Monti Ossenfort, Arizona’s new general manager, met with Hopkins around a month ago; however, nothing ever came of the conversation.

On Sunday, the Cardinals’ social media team decided to add more speculation to the matter with a simple eye emoji tweet.

👀

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) March 12, 2023

The Los Angeles Rams made the first big move of this 2023 offseason by trading away their six-time Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins. In return, the Rams only received a 3rd-round pick along with TE Hunter Long.

This trade should be just the beginning of what could very well be the most entertaining NFL offseason over the past decade.

Stay tuned for more updates, as the Cardinals are sure to announce the fate of Hopkins by the end of the month.