DeAndre Hopkins and Kareem Hunt Extend Their Present Deals

WR DeAndre Hopkins and RB Kareem Hunt signed extensions with their current teams today – Hopkins with the Arizona Cardinals, and Hunt with Cleveland Browns.

Hopkins In Arizona Until 2024

It seems that the Cardinals found their replacement for Larry Fitzgerald. After landing Hopkins this summer in a big trade that shocked the entire NFL, the Cards decided that they don’t need to wait to see him play in order to offer the extension. Hopkins, who is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, added two extra years on his already present deal. 

Cardinals and WR DeAndre Hopkins are now wrapping up a contract extension, as @RapSheet said.

It’s a two-year extension that includes $42.5 million fully guaranteed, and ties Hopkins to Arizona for five years at $94 million – an $18.8 million per-year average.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2020

The 28-year old will receive $54.5 million, of which $42.5 million are guaranteed. The current contract that lasts until 2022, brings him $39.5 million. 

“I can see clearly now the rain is gone.” Hopkins tweeted after the news broke out. 

A new deal is something the player wanted for a long time and was one of the main reasons for his departure from Houston. 

Hopkins came to the league in 2013, as the 27th overall pick from Clemson. Since then, he became a 4-time Pro Bowl and 4-time All-Pro, three times in the first team. During 2017, he led the league in receiving TDs.

Apart from his rookie year and the 2016 season when he fell short for 46 yards, Hopkins was always above the 1,000-yard mark in the NFL. Last year he had 7 TDs with 1,165 yards. Throughout his career, he started in 110 games, totaling for 8,602 yeards and posting 54 scores.

The reason why Cards pushed so fast to secure his presence is that they wanted to pair him with Kyler Murray. Murray, the former No.1 pick and the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, is one of the league’s biggest talents, and he immediately showed a vast potential during this premiere season. 

With Fitzgerald to mentor both, the two may develop chemistry, eventually leading the Cardinals to extreme heights. Murray now has an elite receiver and is expected to improve his numbers severely. 

Browns Counting on Hunt

Cleveland Browns and Kareem Hunt also agreed to sign a two-year extension. The worth of this deal is $13.25 million with $8.5 million guaranteed, and when looking at the entire arrangement RB has with the franchise from Ohio, he will stay there until 2022. 

“Cleveland has always been home to me, and putting on the Orange & Brown has been THE dream growing up. Being able to make it official, and play my heart out for the city I love for the next few years is a blessing,” Hunt stated following the signing. 

Browns are giving RB Kareem Hunt a two-year, $13.25 million extension that includes $8.5m gtd, per source. Tied to Cleveland now for three seasons. https://t.co/C9Kpu36Y1U

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2020

Once the biggest prospect at the RB position finally has a chance to prove his worth after a dishonorable release from the Kansas City Chiefs. He would miss the first 8 games of the last season following his arrival in Cleveland, eventually managing to appear on the field 8 times. His stats were modest – 179 yards in 43 attacks, 2 TDs, and 285 receiving yards for one score.

Hunt was the undisputed Rookie of the Year in 2017, recording 1.327 yards on the ground for 8 touchdowns and 455 yards and three TDs more through the air. He was the NFL’s No.1 in rushing yards that year and a Pro Bowl selection. Unfortunately, poor off-field behavior prevented him from becoming one of the top superstars in the league.

His role in Cleveland will be to support Nick Chubb, who is their starting RB. Even though all eyes are on Baker Mayfield and his receiving core, running might emerge as the strongest part of the Browns’ game in the upcoming campaign.