"It might be the best thing that ever happened to the Cardinals" - NFL analyst explains how DeAndre Hopkins suspension could help Arizona
When news broke about DeAndre Hopkins being suspended for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy, many instantly wrote off the Arizona Cardinals' chances in the 2022-23 season. Most argued that without the superstar receiver, the team would not only end sluggishly like in past years but would also start slow.
However, one NFL analyst believes the suspension could be a blessing in disguise for the Cardinals. On First Take, Robert Griffin III first spoke about Kyler Murray and how he has the ability to lead the team deep into the postseason.
"When I'm talking about Kyler Murray, you talk about his talent and what he's able to do as a quarterback with his arm and with his legs and contrary to popular belief, he has carried Arizona Cardinals over the past three years, and he's carried them to a place where they are a viable Super Bowl contender."
He then explained how the loss of Hopkins could benefit the team in the long run.
"Now DeAndre Hopkins getting suspended early in the year is not the greatest thing for him in his career, but it might be the best thing that ever happened to the Cardinals and here's why."
He went on to say that the suspension will force the team to explore other avenues.
"It's gonna give [the Cardinals] an opportunity to figure out how to run their offense through other people, whether that be Zach Ertz and Trey McBride, the tight ends, James Connor, the running back, Marquise Brown, the wide receiver, or the other receivers that they have at their disposal there in Arizona…"
DeAndre Hopkins spent part of yesterday driving around Downtown Phoenix and giving out bottles of water to those who needed it on another very hot day. https://t.co/kgccDrDSoT
Griffin pointed out that the suspension could prove beneficial for Hopkins as well, as it would keep him fresh for the business end of the season.
"[Arizona] will have to figure out how to get things done without only throwing the ball to DeAndre Hopkins. So it's also going to allow Dee-hop to be healthy late in the year when they need him the most... Now it's going to be on Kliff Kingsbury early in the year to figure out a different way to get things done."
DeAndre Hopkins' NFL career so far
DeAndre Hopkins arrived in the NFL with plenty of expectations on his shoulders, and he has fulfilled them for the most part. The Houston Texans drafted him with the 27th pick in 2013 and wide receiver accumulated 2,000 total yards in his first two NFL seasons.
In 2015, he had the second-best season of his career, posting 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The best season of his career came in 2018 when he earned 1,572 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 2020, Hopkins was traded to the Arizona Cardinals. Paired with Kyler Murray, the wide receiver earned his third-best yardage total in his career with 1,407. However, 2021 was not kind to the player as he managed just 572 yards and eight touchdowns.
With the wide receiver set to miss roughly half of the 2022-23 season, there are question marks over whether his production will decline.
If you use any of the quotes above, please credit First Take and H/T Sportskeeda.