The Arizona Cardinals have officially released DeAndre Hopkins.
After playing just three seasons with the Cardinals, Hopkins is now on the hunt for a new team.
When this release was announced, Marquise Brown used this as an opportunity to proclaim his spot as the team’s alpha receiver.
“I want to prove that I can be the guy,” Brown said in a recent press conference.
Cardinals WR Marquise Brown on departure of DeAndre Hopkins: "I wanted him to be here but he’s not and I know he’s going to do great things for wherever he goes. But for me, my thinking process and my role of how I see myself hasn’t changed.”https://t.co/VNV1ThuDuS pic.twitter.com/oUzJu6vMs7
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 13, 2023
2022 was the first season for Brown on the Cardinals, after spending the first three years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens.
Whether it was due to a lack of quarterback consistency, or Hopkins’ presence on the roster, Brown’s production was atypical.
In 12 total games played last season, Brown amassed 67 receptions, 709 yards, and three touchdowns.
While these aren’t necessarily poor numbers for playing 12 games, Brown had 299 more yards and 24 more receptions in 2021.
He’s certainly looking to have a career year in 2023, and his comments seem to back that up.
Brown is confident in his ability to succeed this season.
Will he have a steady, reliable quarterback this year, which wasn’t the case last season?
Kyler Murray’s injury could keep him off the field for the first several games of the year.
As their depth chart currently sits, Colt McCoy, Clayton Tune, and David Blough are the next three men up at quarterback.
McCoy wasn’t exactly an adequate replacement for Murray last year but with an offseason to prepare, the Cardinals’ luck could turn around.
NEXT: Cardinals WR Has A Clear Goal For The 2023 Season
