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(New York, Ny) — After striking out in the Odell Beckham Jr. sweepstakes, the Jets are turning their attention to another All-Pro receiver: DeAndre Hopkins.
According to Sports Illustrated, the Jets are interested in pursuing a trade for the Cardinals receiver. Hopkins has been the subject of trade talks as many expect him to start the 2023 season in a different uniform.
When answering a question regarding the Jets interest in Hopkins, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer responded, “yes, conditionally”.
Breer clarified, “I think the Jets are going to do everything they can to go all in around Aaron Rodgers the way, say, the Buccaneers went all in around Tom Brady over the past three years, but they’ll try and do it with some intelligent restraint, like Tampa did.”
The Jets passed on OBJ due to his high asking price of 15 million, even though it was just for a year. However, Hopkins is due a salary of 15 million himself, creating a tall hurdle for the Jets if they were to pull off a Hopkins deal.
Prior to the start of free agency, NFL insider Mike Jurecki reported the Cardinals wanted a second-round draft pick plus a conditional pick or player in exchange for the star pass catcher. The 30-year-old is owed nearly $35 million over the final two years of his contract.
Hopkins at this point is someone whose value is based on potential. He has only played 19 combined regular season games the past two seasons, totaling 1292 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
His last full season was his first with Arizona where he notched 1,407 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Money is one issue with the Jets, but injury history can potentially do another. The question of who will be throwing Hopkins the ball also remains, as, even though it is expected, Aaron Rodgers has yet to be traded to the Jets.
