JJ Watt comments on rumors about DeAndre Hopkins

After 12 seasons in the NFL, defensive end JJ Watt recently announced his retirement.

He was one of the league’s top pass rushers for many years, first with the Pittsburgh Steelers and then with the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 and 2022.

He’s spent his last two seasons playing with star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who is reportedly likely to be traded soon.

The latest rumor is that Hopkins could be joining the New England Patriots, especially after he started following quarterback Mac Jones on Instagram.

Watt said on The Pat McAfee Show that Hopkins is at the point in his career where he just wants to play on a winning team.

“DHop has come to a point in his career where he just wants to go somewhere where he can win.”@JJWatt #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/lmyvm3V1Ku

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 17, 2023

The Cardinals certainly weren’t a winning team last season, as they finished 4-13, prompting a head coach change.

With QB Kyler Murray’s status for the start of the 2023 campaign in question due to a cruciate ligament rupture, Hopkins may be better off going elsewhere.

The Patriots have already caused a stir this offseason by adding wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is coming off a season rushing for 933 yards and winning the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs.

They also brought in tight end Mike Gesicki, who spent five seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

If Hopkins ends up being traded to New England, he would endow Mac Jones with the skills players need to unlock what some see as immense potential.

Jones’ numbers went down in 2022, and unless he can play at a very high level with Smith-Schuster and Hopkins by his side, it’s clear he simply won’t be the franchise QB the Patriots were hoping for that he would be.

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Cardinals WR calls his teammate over Kyler Murray criticism