Don't get your hopes up about the Packers signing DeAndre Hopkins
Welcoming the former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver does not make sense for a slew of reasons.
By rex.sheild
In an ideal world, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Davante Adams would still be QB1 and WR1, respectively, on the Green Bay Packers; the team would be entering the 2023 season as NFC North favorites and legitimate challengers to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy; and they would be in prime position to sign wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was released by the Arizona Cardinals on Friday after three seasons with the team. Alas, we live in reality. And the reality of the state of affairs for the Packers leaves a minut chance – I would say less than five percent, conservatively – that general manager Brian Gutekunst signs Hopkins to a free-agent deal.
For starters, Gutekunst made a concerted effort to field a younger roster, including at wide receiver. Hopkins will turn 31 in June. Moreover, head coach Matt LaFleur said earlier this month they are comfortable, for now anyway, sticking with the receivers currently on the roster.
“It’s certainly a very talented room that’s going to be a hell of a competition in terms of who is getting the snaps,” LaFleur said. “I know [Gutekunst]’s going to do whatever he can to help us field the best possible team. And if need be, I think we would turn that way (signing a veteran wide receiver). But right now, I think we’re going to just let those guys compete.”
While Hopkins would provide a strong veteran presence, the Packers, or whichever team signs him, are likely to not get peak Hopkins, a receiver that accumulated at least 1,100 receiving yards in six seasons since entering the league in 2013. The Clemson product has only appeared in 19 games over the last two seasons, with an Approximate Value of 6 in each of those seasons, due to injuries and a PED suspension.
Regardless, Hopkins could still make an impact for his new team and he has previously made it known that he wants that new team to be a contender. The Packers do not exactly fit the definition of a contender. They have a youthful roster and are ushering in a new era at quarterback, the most important position in all of sports, with an unproven player. Frankly, Green Bay could finish anywhere from first to last place in the division.
Last, but not least, the Packers are not exactly flush with salary cap space. Ken Ingalls, the unofficial Packers cap guru, projects that the team have approximately $16 million in cap space (as of May 8) and will have roughly $4 million in effective cap space at the start of the regular season. The latter assumes giving Rashan Gary a long-term extension, which would create $3.025 million in cap space, and setting aside $5 million for potential in-season “expenses.”
2023 Green Bay Packers Salary Cap - 5/8/23
🟨Top 51 Cap - Current $16.5M
➕Sign 4 draft picks
➕Extend Gary
🟥Top 51 Cap - Pending Moves $16.0M
➕Practice Squad
➕Contracts 52 & 53
➕In-Season
🟦Total Cap - Effective $4.4M⚠️Assumes Love with void years
⚠️Need UDFA details pic.twitter.com/saYvd5kKGd— Ken Ingalls - Packers Cap 💰 (@KenIngalls) May 8, 2023
Over The Cap points out that the Packers could execute simple restructures of existing contracts that would increase the team’s salary cap space by $6.9 million – the third-lowest figure in the NFL – and could execute maximum restructures that would increase the team’s salary cap space by $19.2 million – again, the third-lowest figure in the NFL. Hopkins “expects to secure a significant contract on the open market,” according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. Is it possible that Green Bay executes either simple restructures or maximum restructures to accommodate Hopkins’ financial desires? Sure, anything is possible. But Russ Ball & Co. have kicked the can down the road so many times over the last two years, I imagine their willingness to do it again for a player likely past his prime is practically non-existent.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Rex is a lifelong Packers fan but was sick of the cold, so he moved to the heart of Cowboys country. Follow him on Twitter (@Sheild92) and Instagram (@rex.sheild).
__________________________
Comments (28)
Heyward
May 29, 2023 at 12:13 pm
Is there anyone who thinks Hopkins to the Packers is even a remote possibility?
PatrickGB
May 29, 2023 at 04:15 pm
Not me.
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:09 am
Not me either. I think it'd be a terrible idea, nothing against Hopkins.
GregC
May 29, 2023 at 12:14 pm
Seriously, is anyone even hoping for DeAndre Hopkins to sign with the Packers?
And my ideal world definitely does not include Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams playing for the Packers this year. Been there, done that. The Packers have moved on, and rightfully so.
splitpea1
May 29, 2023 at 12:22 pm
I don't think anyone ever considered the possibility, and that goes for both sides. Do you think Hopkins wants to be part of an offensive rebuild or would prefer going to a top contender for a chance at a ring?
dobber
May 29, 2023 at 12:40 pm
"Don't get your hopes up about the Packers signing DeAndre Hopkins"
OK.
Ferrari-Driver
May 29, 2023 at 12:45 pm
There is no denying that Hopkins was an outstanding wide receiver for years and may still have a few moves which would likely help out certain teams in the NFL. But, he is definitely not a locker room stalwart like Marcedes Lewis and if he were with the Packers he would impede the development of our young receiving corps.
croatpackfan
May 29, 2023 at 12:55 pm
C'mon people, he is top player. If he will be signed, Packers will win it all. Didn't many posters writing here that Packers never brought pro bowl FA WR on roster and that because of that Packets never be able to win SB. Now is the chance!
Or not?
I just wonder what would be the reason for signing Hopkins? What he can teach young receivers that coaches can not, or other Packers vets (yes, there are vets on Packers roster).
I'm happy with Packers roster as it is at the moment. We do not need "education", pardon, expensive veteran WR on the roster in the process of building future.
Any veteran WR or TE will also need to start from zero. To learn complete playbook and to adapt themselves to the new requirements and plays demands. As older you are it is harder to change your habits and to adapt yourself to new things or procedures or demands/requests.
Clear NO!
GregC
May 29, 2023 at 12:59 pm
We don't need no education.
BAMABADGER
May 29, 2023 at 01:26 pm
All in all, we're just a... block of cheese in the wall!
Leatherhead
May 29, 2023 at 01:36 pm
Again, look at the math, look at the number of targets the WRs get. If you want to throw it to Hopkins 8 times a game, who gets less?
Let's see if Doubs and/or Toure have improved. Let's see what Reed brings. Let's see what our new TEs can do.
Run 35 plays for Jones and Dillon, run another 10 to Watson. Keep the ball in the hands of our best players. Doubs, Toure, Reed, Deguara, Musgrave and Kraft should be able to handle a couple of targets in a game.
jhtobias
May 29, 2023 at 02:08 pm
I understand why this article needs to be written just wish all packer fans would just accept the fact this is a new team and the goals are different on offense devolp draft and build the offense.
I would say lafluer needs to really worry about his defense more than anything. That unit has no more excusues and has all the talent in the world . Anything less than a top 5 finish is not acceptable. Dont blame berry he didnt retain himself.
Rich B get ready to become the packer head coach in 2024 you deserve it . Make clements the o coordinator if he wants to cont next yr . Im sure Rich B can lead these men to the top and makenthe right coaching hires.
LeotisHarris
May 29, 2023 at 03:13 pm
"I understand why this article needs to be written..."
Really? Is it because "Don't Get Your Hopes Up About the Packers Giving Away Free Season Tickets", and "Don't Get Your Hopes Up About the Packers Moving to Milwaukee" were shot down in the brainstorming session?
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:14 am
Premature to call for Rich Bisaccia replacing both JB & MLF. Let it play out ...
Packers0808
May 29, 2023 at 02:52 pm
I would much rather see Lewis back in a Packer uniform any
day before Hopkins!
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:14 am
Play the yutes. They need the snaps!
Alberta_Packer
May 29, 2023 at 03:42 pm
The only reason to sign Hopkins - is to replace the vital Randall Cobb role on offence.
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:15 am
We have several for that and they need the snaps. Also, the coaches need to see how they do to evaluate them.
coolhand
May 31, 2023 at 01:25 pm
"The only reason to sign Hopkins - is to replace the vital Randall Cobb role on offence."
The trainers will get lonely and bored. They are people too you know!
Connor Wall
June 08, 2023 at 11:38 am
But we don't have to entertain them and they get paid to do so.
PatrickGB
May 29, 2023 at 04:18 pm
I am hoping that the team gets its house in order (cap wise) before they even consider a high priced FA. Take our lumps now and be free to spend on worthy FA’s later.
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:18 am
Exactly! Might have the cap space to pick up a great next season but it's 2025 that we need to focus on, with NO cap hell. Our first chance to truly contend. An expensive veteran now doesn't bring us closer to that goal, experience for the yutes does.
ArlenWilliams
May 29, 2023 at 04:52 pm
Who has hopes about the Packers signing DeAndre Hopkins?
I don't have hopes about the Packers signing DeAndre Hopkins.
ricky
May 29, 2023 at 07:32 pm
The Packers are in a youth movement, are doing their best to clear up some cap space, and have kicked the can down the road so often, it is dented all out of recognition, and out of sight. Time to retrench and recover from some questionable decisions. Also, likely the youth movement will see David Bakhtiari either traded or released next year, at the latest. If I'm reading Over the Cap correctly, if the Packers cut him before June next year, they would realize a cap saving of about $2.5 million. If he can show he can stay healthy enough to play an entire season, then a trade seems more likely. If not, then a release.
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:22 am
Only $2.5MM? That's cheap for what he brings. I thought his cap hit would be well over $20MM next year, and getting more value before this season ends while he's still healthy say after the bye might be smart. But if he only costs $2.5?
ricky
May 31, 2023 at 11:53 am
You misunderstood my post. I said the Packers CAP SAVINGS would be about $2.5 million. If they keep Bakhtiari on the roster, he is scheduled to make a bit over $19 million. But, if the Packers cut him pre-June 1 next year, their cap savings would be $21.5 million, therefore, adding about $2.5 million on the cap.
Qoojo
May 30, 2023 at 09:04 am
I am so sick and tired of hearing about the WR position and FA WRs. Not to mention the 1st round draft nonsense.
greengold
May 30, 2023 at 09:14 am
Agree. We’ll just have to wait this out.
There’s no money for Hopkins.