Should the Bears sign DeAndre Hopkins?

The Arizona Cardinals released star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins Friday after weeks of trade speculation. Hopkins should have no shortage of suitors, but it’s doubtful the Chicago Bears would be one of those teams calling.

Here are three reasons why.

Age and Production

Hopkins will turn 31 in a few weeks. As we’ve seen with Poles in the last two offseasons, he has emphasized getting younger and more athletic. An old expensive veteran would certainly go against the grain. Also, Hopkins’ production has dropped significantly since the 2020 season, when he recorded 1,407 receiving yards on 115 receptions. In 2021, he was limited to 42 catches in just 10 games, last year, he only played in 9 games (more on this below).

Culture Fit

Hopkins’ 2022 season was limited to nine games after he served a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s rules against performance-enhancing drugs. We’ve already seen an instance of Poles taking a pass on talent due to a questionable locker room fit (Jalen Carter). The 2023 Bears are not a ‘DeAndre Hopkins’ away from contending for a title, so it would seem un-Poles like to gamble on a player coming off that type of suspension.

Crowded wide receiver room

The 2023 Bears wide receivers’ room is quite different than the one they assembled a year ago. Teams typically carry around six wide receivers throughout the year, with the end of the depth chart guys being able to contribute on special teams.

The Bears have four current ‘locks’ to make the roster (DJ Moore, Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney, and Tyler Scott). That leaves one or two spots for another wideout. Velus Jones and Equanimeous St. Brown have special teams value, so I would expect the Bears to find a way to keep at least one of them.

Hopkins is primarily an X-receiver, a role manned in Chicago by Moore. Sure, he can probably line up at the Z, but at this stage of the Chicago Bears’ rebuilding efforts, Mooney or Claypool would be more effective in that spot.

Hopkins would also provide no value on special teams. While I’m sure offensive coordinator Luke Getsy wouldn’t mind another weapon in his arsenal, it would run contrary to the work Poles has done this offseason.