NFL wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has publicly addressed one of the most challenging periods of his professional career, alleging that he was intentionally set up by his former general manager. In a response to an Instagram post by business influencer Tony Robinson, the veteran wideout claimed that former Arizona Cardinals executive Steve Keim was responsible for a contaminated drug test sample, an incident that resulted in a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy in May 2022.
At the time of the suspension, Hopkins was in the process of recovering from an MCL tear that had occurred four and a half months prior. Hopkins stated, "I got set up when I played for his team and lost $13 million. Skeme Slime was my GM, contaminated drug test go figure how that happened."
The 2022 season proved to be a difficult year for the Cardinals, who finished with a 4-13 record following an 11-6 playoff campaign the previous year. Hopkins participated in only nine games that season, recording 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns. He was subsequently released by the organization during the middle of OTAs in 2023. Steve Keim eventually resigned from his position as general manager at the conclusion of the 2022 season, citing health reasons, and was replaced by Monti Ossenfort.
Following his release from Arizona, Hopkins joined the Tennessee Titans, where he saw a resurgence in production with 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns on 75 receptions. After a trade to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024, he reached the Super Bowl for the first time. In 2025, he played for the Baltimore Ravens, recording 22 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns, which marked career lows for a season in which he played all games.
Recently, Hopkins transitioned into coaching, taking an assistant wide receivers role at Georgia Tech after spending time interning with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Despite this shift, he has not officially retired from playing. Former teammate Devontez Walker expressed optimism about Hopkins' future, stating, "I think he can still play. DHop was one of those guys who was real good for me, and I feel like every time he was out there, he made a lot of plays. Hopefully he do get back on the field."
However, he has not ruled out returning to play in the future, and former teammate Devontez Walker held out hope that it would happen during media availability on Sunday (from 4:15 in the video below):"I think he can still play.
Hopefully he do get back on the field."The Ravens' preseason begins at home against the Philadelphia Eagles this coming Saturday.
