The Arizona Cardinals are reportedly on the verge of sealing their blockbuster acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins by locking him into a new long-term deal.
The Cardinals and Hopkins were wrapping up the terms of an extension that would "properly compensate" the three-time All-Pro, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Monday. The deal is for two years and is worth $54.5M total, including $42.75M due at signing, Rapoport said in a followup report.
The windfall makes Hopkins "the highest-paid non-QB ever," Rapoport noted.
Hopkins was set to earn about $40M over the next three seasons on his current deal, originally signed with the Houston Texans, which expires after the 2022 season, per Spotrac.
While an average annual salary of over $13M is nothing to sneeze at, in the context of pro football it still would have put Hopkins behind no fewer than 10 of his fellow wide receivers -- a relative bargain for a player generally considered in the discussion for best at the position on an annual basis.
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The Cardinals acquired Hopkins from the Texans in an offseason swap that many said was one-sided, prompting fierce criticism of Bill O'Brien, the team's head coach and general manager.
Reports suggested that the Texans dealt Hopkins in anticipation of a coming request for a raise. Hopkins later admitted the situation had soured, saying he had "no relationship" with O'Brien.
In Arizona, Hopkins joined a talented young roster led by second-year quarterback Kyler Murray and young head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Now, the Cardinals have secured the long-term future of a top weapon in what is expected to be an explosive offense.
Hopkins negotiated the deal himself, according to Rapoport, who added that the star wideout secured no-trade and no-franchise-tag clauses in the agreement in accordance with his wish to remain in Arizona long-term.
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