If the Detroit Lions were to make a contract offer to DeAndre Hopkins, what would make sense?
When DeAndre Hopkins was reported to be on the trade block early this offseason, it was hard to see him as a great fit for the Detroit Lions. His age, his contract, a presumed desire to compete for a championship immediately and/or play with a high-end quarterback....the pieces just didn't fit.
As the months have gone on, Hopkins remained theoretically available and yet he remained a Cardinal. Arizona's asking price, interlaced with some or all of the aforementioned factors, was easy to see as being to blame. Still, it seemed his days as a Cardinal were numbered. It was just a matter of time.
Apparenly absent any trade offers they deemed viable, the Cardinals kicked off Memorial Day Weekend by giving up and releasing Hopkins.
On the I AM ATHLETE podcast, Hopkins openly listed the top five quarterbacks he'd like to play with. Jared Goff of course is not on the list, But some of what else he said he wants, perhaps more than money, the Lions may fit.
"What I want is stable management upstairs," Hopkins said. "I think that's something I haven't really had the past couple years of my career coming from Houston and then to Arizona. I've been through three or four GMs in my career, so a stable management. A QB who loves the game, a QB who brings everybody on board with him and pushes not just himself but everybody around him. "
Hopkins did add, to his list of ideal things on a new team, "a great defense. A great defense wins championships." The Lions don't have that, at least as far as it looks right now.
What should a DeAndre Hopkins contract offer from the Lions look like?
Now that teams are not beholden to what was left of Hopkins contract via acquiring him a trade, it will be interesting to see what he gets. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reminds us, he does not have an NFLPA-certified agent, despite telling Pat McAfee back in March he had hired one.
Citing sources, Florio suggests Hopkins may be represented in the background by a shadowy figure named Saint Omni and teams are leery of dealing with him. The league warned all teams not to deal with Omni or any other non-certified agent in connection with linebacker Roquan Smith, so there's good reason behind that if it's the case,
But removing all the background stuff regarding who is acting as Hopkins' de facto agent, the Lions and any other team can make him whatever contract offer they'd like. If he's serious about taking less money, the proof will be in the pudding of whatever deal he agrees to.
The Lions have immediately landed on a few lists of ideal team fits for Hopkins, and they've landed high on lists placing betting odds for his next team.
Braylon Edwards and Ryan Ermanni of Woodward Sports talked about Hopkins on Friday. Edwards landed on an offer he'd make.
Should the Detroit Lions pursue WR DeAndre Hopkins following his release by the Arizona Cardinals?
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) May 26, 2023
"The Lions should absolutely take a flier on 'DHop', for the right price. And the right price for me, one year, I'd give 'DHop' $15 million for one year...."Braylon Edwards
If you're the Lions, working against his list of preferences to a fairly notable degree, one year might not get Hopkins' attention. They may have to tack on a second year. Maybe not fully guaranteed, and maybe fairly incentive-laden, but a second year nonetheless.
For what it's worth, Spotrac has tabbed Hopkins market value at $23.2 million per year and a three-year, $69.6 million deal. Injuries and a PED suspension have cost him 15 games over the last two seasons, so a team locking themselves firmly into his age-31, 32 and 33 seasons feels unlikely. He was one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL on a per-game basis last season, but there is a layer of risk moving forward.
So, what kind of contract offer should the Lions make to Hopkins? Assuming they have any interest in making one, of course. But I'll play general manager, and outline an offer I'd consider making to Hopkins if I'm Brad Holmes.
Hypothetical Detroit Lions contract offer to DeAndre Hopkins: Two years, $35 million--$25 million fully guaranteed at signing, via fully guaranteed 2023 base salary ($15 million) and signing bonus ($10 million).