Browns' Kevin Stefanski addresses if team could add DeAndre Hopkins
Following a report over the weekend that indicated former Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins would be “open” to signing with the Cleveland Browns, head coach Kevin Stefanski did his best to remain neutral on the topic at a golf charity outing on Tuesday.
“I really, really like our wide receiver room,” Stefanski said, via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “I love the guys that are in there. Andrew and his crew are always looking at every avenue, so I won’t comment specifically on the player other than to say that I really like our roster.”
Stefanski’s comments do little to reveal whether the Browns are in heavy pursuit of Hopkins, but there is one member of the team who is.
Hopkins’ former teammate, quarterback DeShaun Watson was much more forthcoming about his interest in adding a new weapon. Reporters asked Watson about the former Texans receiver on Tuesday and the QB revealed that he’s been in contact with him since his release from Arizona.
“Of course, we would love to have him,” Watson said. “He knows that.”
Watsons and Hopkins parted ways after the 2019 season due to the receiver’s contract dispute. It was one of the most shocking moves of the 2020 offseason. The Texans gave him up for running back David Johnson, a 2020 second-round pick and a 2021 fourth-rounder.
Bills, Chiefs among teams in Hopkins sweepstakes
The Browns are just one of the teams with Hopkins buzz. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills are also mulling offers for the six-time 1,000-yard receiver. Both the Bills and Chiefs have salary cap limitations to consider, however.
“Well, the feeling among some around the league I’ve talked to is that the Bills and the Chiefs will be involved to some extent, that they’re at least lurking here,” Fowler said. “Now the Chiefs have checked in on this. They’ve at least got the lowdown when he was talking to Arizona for a potential trade of what he might need for a contract, but they’re a little tight on the salary cap, less than $2 million in cap space.”
On his end, Hopkins was making his list of needs known to other teams even before his release.
“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,” Hopkins said on the ‘I AM ATHLETE’ podcast. “I’ve been through three or four GMs in my career, so a stable management.
“[I want] a QB who loves the game, a QB who brings everybody on board with him and pushes not just himself but everybody around him. … and a great defense. A great defense wins championships.”