It sounds like the New York Jets are out of the running for free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Head coach Robert Saleh was asked whether his team intends on pursuing the suddenly available veteran pass catcher during his media availability on Wednesday, May 31.
“Nah, we love our current group. There was some stuff with Odell [Beckham Jr], but other than that, we love our group.”
It doesn’t sound like the #Jets will be pursuing free agent WR DeAndre Hopkins. @Connor_J_Hughes asked HC Robert Saleh about D-Hop’s sudden availability & whether the team would be interested, ‘nah, we love our current group’ 🎥 @nyjets #TakeFlight
Jets Still Among Betting Favorites to Land DeAndre Hopkins
Publically Saleh just smashed the possibility of pursuing D-Hop in free agency.
Despite that, the folks over at Bookies.com released updated team odds and the Jets are the second betting favorite to land the five-time Pro Bowler.
Adam Thompson, an oddsmaker for bookies.com, revealed the top potential landing spots for Hopkins:
- Dallas Cowboys +350
- New York Jets +500
- Kansas City Chiefs +500
- Carolina Panthers +750
- Detroit Lions +1000
- Buffalo Bills +1000
The #Jets have the 2nd best odds to land free agent WR DeAndre Hopkins at +500, per @bookies.
Here are the other top contenders:
#DallasCowboys +350
#TakeFlight +500
#ChiefsKingdom +500
#KeepPounding +750
#OnePride +1000
#BillsMafia +1000
LINK: t.co/wtbcNNePb9
The 30-year-old wideout will turn 31 before the start of the 2023 season.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, this free agency process is expected to take a while for Hopkins. He will take his time to find the best landing spot for 2023 and potentially beyond.
Odell Beckham Jr. & DeAndre Hopkins Jets Situation Is Confusing
The Jets aggressively pursued veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr earlier this offseason.
After OBJ received a record-breaking contract offer from the Baltimore Ravens, the veteran wideout reached out to the Jets to see if they would match it, per Connor Hughes of SNY.
“Odell, he wanted to play here,” Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner told Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated. “It was to the point where he was picking his jersey. He was telling me, like, ‘Hey, ask so-and-so if I can get the jersey [number I want].’ He was going to wear number 7.”
If the Jets were that in on OBJ, why wouldn’t they at least consider the possibility of pursuing D-Hop?
Saleh told the media on May 31 that the Jets “love” their current wide receiver group.
They didn’t love the group enough not to pursue OBJ nearly to the point where he was picking out his future jersey number. However, they love the group enough not to kick the tires on Hopkins.
Something doesn’t pass the smell test.
OBJ hasn’t played in an NFL game since February 13, 2022. Over the last three years, the former LSU product has recorded 67 receptions for 856 receiving yards and hauled in eight touchdowns.
During that same span of time, Hopkins has caught 221 passes for 2,696 receiving yards and secured 17 touchdowns.
Inarguably, Hopkins has been the better player both recently and historically speaking when compared to OBJ.
D-Hop is going to be a unique addition to someone’s NFL roster.
It’s rare for someone as accomplished as Hopkins to be available this late in unrestricted free agency.
Adam Schefter believes he is ultimately going to land with one of these four NFL teams: Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, or the New England Patriots.
Since Hopkins isn’t coming to the Jets, based on the latest intel, Gang Green better hope he lands in the NFC or they could be facing off against him in 2023.
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Robert Saleh Breaks Silence on DeAndre Hopkins-Jets Rumors