Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon Is 'Not Sure' DeAndre Hopkins Will Be with Team in 2023

New Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon left open the possibility that DeAndre Hopkins may not be back with the team in the 2023 season, though he also praised the veteran's ability.

"I'm not sure," he told reporters. "We are evaluating everyone. I know this—he's a premier receiver you have to have a plan for (to defend). He limits you with how you have to play defense. ... He's a valuable asset for us."

Hopkins, 30, had an interesting 2022 season. He started the campaign on the sidelines, suspended for six games after violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy. He also missed the last two games of the regular season with a knee issue.

When healthy he was excellent, however, notching 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns in just nine games.

It was his second shortened season, however, as a torn MCL in 2021 limited him to 10 games.

Hopkins remains one of the NFL's more dynamic receivers. He's a five-time Pro Bowler and a three-time first-team All-Pro selection. He's shown little indication of drifting out of his prime, at least when he's been healthy enough to play.

But those questions about his health, combined with a $30.8 million cap hit next season and a $26.2 million cap hit in 2024, could be enough for the Cardinals to move on as they rebuild the team around a new head coach in Gannon.

And Hopkins, in turn, may want to be on a roster more equipped to win immediately, especially with the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Kyler Murray's timeline for return after he suffered a torn ACL.

Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk noted that the Cardinals have "not exactly been shy about making it known that Hopkins is available for a potential trade."

For now, however, the Cardinals and Hopkins have remained engaged in conversations about the future.

General manager Monti Ossenfort told reporters Tuesday:

"I've had a conversation with DeAndre and DeAndre's representative. Those have been very productive conversations. I've watched from afar the last 10 years or whatever it's been with DeAndre having been on teams that have had to compete against him. I've seen the player that DeAndre is and what he can do on a field, and I know he is tough to defend."