NFL

What Are His Potential Landing Spots?

Published

11 months ago

May 26, 2023

darragh

For months, it’s been speculated that DeAndre Hopkins would not be wearing an Arizona Cardinal uniform by the time the 2023 NFL season started. On Friday, that came to fruition, but not in the form of a trade as many expected. The Cardinals informed everyone they released Hopkins. What are the best landing spots for the All-Pro receiver?

Arizona Cardinals Release DeAndre Hopkins

It sure looks like the tank is on for the Cardinals. With Kyler Murray likely missing at least half the season, the Cardinals’ chances of competing this season are slim. As a result, Arizona was trying to find a trade for the 31-year-old receiver for months. Unable to find a partner, the Cardinals opted to outright release Hopkins.

As PFN Senior NFL Analyst Trey Wingo put it, “So this was really a smart move by the Cardinals and, quite frankly, a good move. They get a contract off the books from an old general manager, and DeAndre Hopkins now is able to go out and say to whoever wants him, ‘hey, what can you do for me?’”

In speculating on trades, we need the other team to not only be a team that needs a wide receiver but have the resources to acquire him. Now, Hopkins is free to sign wherever he wants. The only real factor besides team need is whether they have the salary cap space. And, of course, Hopkins has to want to go there.

According to Hopkins on the I AM ATHLETE podcast, he is looking for three things in a new team. Hopkins wants a QB that loves the game and brings everyone on board with him, a great defense, and stable management.

Hopkins also listed the five quarterbacks he’d most like to play with: Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert. So, essentially five of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, minus Joe Burrow.

Of course, there’s more to the equation than just what quarterbacks Hopkins wants to play with. What teams are most likely to sign Hopkins? Here are some top potential landing spots.

Kansas City Chiefs

It should come as no surprise that the Chiefs are the top landing spot option. Mahomes fits what Hopkins is looking for in a QB. While the Chiefs don’t have the best defense, it’s clear Hopkins wants to win.

Wingo said, “The Chiefs seem to make the most sense. Patrick Mahomes recently said, ‘Look, I’m comfortable with the wide receiver room,’ and I’m sure he is because he’s Patrick Mahomes, who led the league in touchdown passes and passing yards without Tyreek Hill. But if you can pick up a DeAndre Hopkins and go get a chance to get another ring and bring in someone like that, you have to do it.”

Well, the Chiefs just won the Super Bowl, and they did it without a true WR1. Hopkins would provide them with that. Finally, Chiefs GM Brett Veach has been in his role since 2017.

MORE: What a DeAndre Hopkins Contract Could Look Like

Even at 31 years old, Hopkins still looks every bit like a top receiver in the NFL. He may not be as good as he was during his prime Texans days, but Hopkins is a massive upgrade on the likes of Kadarius Toney, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Justin Watson.

The biggest impediment will be the salary cap. The Chiefs currently have the fewest cap space available. However, we’ve seen crafty maneuvering of the cap before. In the interest of chasing another title, the Chiefs’ front office can manipulate Hopkins’ cap hit to make it work. The Chiefs should be considered the favorite to land Hopkins.

New England Patriots

The Patriots are second, but perhaps they should be third. It really comes down to how important money and chasing a Super Bowl are for Hopkins. He’s undoubtedly not winning one with Mac Jones in New England, but the Patriots can afford to pay him more than the top teams.

They also have a quality defense, and Bill Belichick has been the GM for over two decades. The primary concern would be whether Hopkins views Jones as a quarterback who fits his criteria. Of course, we have no way of knowing that. If Hopkins does land in New England, it likely means he just went to the highest bidder.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills are in a similar boat as the Chiefs. They have the second-fewest cap space available, but they have an elite quarterback who Hopkins wants to play with, and they need a wide receiver.

The Chiefs have an elite top target in Travis Kelce, but not much behind him. The Bills have an elite WR1 in Stefon Diggs, but not much behind him. Hopkins would fit in perfectly as the WR2 opposite Diggs. They have an excellent defense, and GM Brandon Beane has been in his role since 2017, just like Veach.

Buffalo likely cannot afford to give Hopkins as much as New England, but they can offer him a chance to thrive with a top quarterback en route to a potential Super Bowl bid.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens don’t really look like a realistic landing spot for Hopkins. They’ve already signed Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor. They spent a first-round pick on WR Zay Flowers. While Hopkins is obviously a massive upgrade on all of them, it’s just a lot of resources dedicated to one position.

With that said, Hopkins did list Jackson as a quarterback he’d like to play with. And while Hopkins’ presence would likely render both Flowers and Beckham redundant assets, with Rashod Bateman as the WR2, he undoubtedly makes the team better. So, we can’t rule it out.

MORE: Best Wide Receivers in the NFL in 2023

With a solid defense and GM Eric DeCosta having been with the team since 2012 as an assistant GM and becoming the GM in 2019, the Ravens have just about everything Hopkins is looking for in a new team. They also have about $12 million cap space — more than the Patriots.

Between the available funds, team situation, and the chance to challenge for a title, the Ravens are certainly in play to land Hopkins.

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NFL

Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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NFL

What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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NFL

NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.