Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins signs contract extension through 2024

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on Tuesday signed a two-year contract extension worth $54.5 million, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, making the wideout the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Hopkins negotiated the contract himself and will earn $42.75 million guaranteed, Rapoport added. He will get $27.5 million as a signing bonus and the second year on the contract is voidable.

There is a no-trade as well as a no-franchise tag clause, according to Rapoport.

The deal could keep Hopkins in Arizona through 2024 if the final year is not voided. That leaves $90 million, or $18.8 million average per year, left on his deal.

I can see clearly now the rain is gone. pic.twitter.com/F6JRljSFcs

— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) September 8, 2020

Arizona acquired Hopkins in a trade with the Houston Texans when the new league year began on March 16, and it was understood then the receiver would want a restructured deal.

On his previous contract signed with Houston, Hopkins was slated to make $12.5 million in 2020, $13.5 million in 2021 and $13.9 million in 2022 — all well below the market value for a top-five receiver. None of that money was guaranteed.

The agreement between Hopkins and Arizona comes after Los Angeles Chargers wideout Keenan Allen signed a four-year, $80 million deal over the weekend to make him the second-best paid receiver by annual average value after the Atlanta Falcons’ Julio Jones.

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said at the end of March that general manager Steve Keim had already been in discussions with Hopkins’ about addressing revisions to his contract. Reports just after the Cardinals traded for Hopkins indicated the 28-year-old receiver wanted a new deal paying him annually in the $18-20 million range.

Hopkins is a four-time Pro Bowler and considered a top-five NFL pass-catcher. In 2019, he made 104 catches for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns. He has 632 catches for 8,602 yards and 54 touchdowns in 110 games played.

The Cardinals traded for Hopkins by sending running back David Johnson to the Texans, unloading his contract that includes a base salary of $10.2 million in 2020. Johnson is due a base salary of $8 million more in 2021.

Arizona also included a 2021 fourth-round pick and their second-round selection (40th overall) this year, which Houston used to draft DT Ross Blacklock.

Along with acquiring the 6-foot-1, 212-pound Hopkins in the trade with the Texans, Arizona received a 2020 fourth-round pick (131st overall). The Cardinals selected LSU defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence with that asset.

Highest-paid NFL wide receivers by average annual salary

Values below represent annual average of total contract length at signing

Two-year extension (2023-24): DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals — $27.25 million
Julio Jones, Falcons — $22 million
Keenan Allen, Chargers — $20.03 million
Amari Cooper, Cowboys — $20 million
Michael Thomas, Saints — $19.25 million
Five years of contract left: DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals — $18.8 million
A.J. Green, Bengals — $18.17 million
Odell Beckham Jr., Browns — $18 million
Tyreek Hill, Chiefs — $18 million
Mike Evans, Buccaneers — $16.5 million
Brandin Cooks, Texans — $16.2 million
Previous deal with Texans: DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals — $16.2 million

Contract values via Spotrac.com

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