Open to leaving Arizona? DeAndre Hopkins names five QBs he'd like to play for
DeAndre Hopkins reaffirmed his commitment to the Arizona Cardinals organization earlier this month, but he’s giving signals that he's open to leaving the desert.
While appearing on the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast Monday, Hopkins said he desires stability in upper management and wants to play with a quarterback who loves the game.
“What I want is stable management upstairs. 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 explained. "And a great defense. A great defense wins championships.”
Hopkins said the Cardinals are in “good hands” with general manager Monti Ossenfort and he believes quarterback Kyler Murray loves the game. But the Cardinals haven't been stable since the 2022 season ended. Arizona hired Ossenfort as its new general manager this offseason, while Murray is rehabilitating his knee injury and it's unclear when he will return.
'THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL': NFL owners approve flexing of games
At another point in the podcast, Hopkins was extremely complimentary of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“I love Lamar Jackson. Lamar Jackson is one of my favorite athletes since I’ve been watching sports,” Hopkins said. “Obviously he’s one of the greats, and I would be lying to sit here and say it wouldn’t be an honor one day, if my career allows me to play that long, to play with a great guy and a great quarterback like Lamar.”
Hopkins said Jackson was one of five quarterbacks for whom he'd like to play. He also named Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.
Hopkins' comments come at a time when he’s embroiled in trade rumors. The Cardinals star wideout isn't participating in the team’s OTAs.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cardinals' DeAndre Hopkins names five QBs he'd like to play for
