11 July 2023 , 18:26
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DeAndre Hopkins looks set to miss out on a move to the Buffalo Bills as he seeks to resolve his future.
Having been released from the St Louis Cardinals six weeks ago, Hopkins met with the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans but left both facilities without signing a deal. He is reportedly hoping to sign with a Super Bowl contender this off-season, and while the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are reportedly interested, it does not appear to have to led to any solid offers.
The two Super Bowl favourites, the Chiefs and Bills, are seen as Hopkins' preferred destination after he indicated they are the teams he wants to join. But while Hopkins is holding out hope of an offer from either team, ESPN believe he is unlikely to get the deal he is looking for from the Bills.
It has been suggested by ESPN that while the Bills would like to add Hopkins to their team, they will struggle to make the cap space available to bring him in - with the receiver wanting to be paid as a top player at his position. Hopkins could opt to take less money to sign with the Bills or Chiefs, however, according to NBC Sports, he seeks a "substantial" payday.
He is expected to ask for at least $15million (£11.8m) per season - the amount former fellow free agent Odell Beckham Jr received earlier this offseason when he joined the Baltimore Ravens. Although he did only feature in nine games last season, Hopkins still had incredibly high production levels, with Hopkins 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns on the year.
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Hopkins reportedly wants to play for a Super Bowl contenderIf the Bills were able to acquire Hopkins, they would arguably be the strongest offense in the NFL with Hopkins and Stefon Diggs at wide receiver, for playmaking quarterback Josh Allen. The Bills have been Super Bowl contenders for the last few seasons, but have struggled in the playoffs and could do with adding talent at the offensive skill positions to go with Diggs.
As for now, it would appear the most likely landing spot could be the Patriots, after being in the facility and already being on good terms with new playcaller Bill O'Brien. O'Brien returned to New England as their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in January. He was Hopkins' coach for all but the receiver's rookie year in Houston.