Cardinals' DeAndre Hopkins wants to form close relationship with Kyler Murray

• NFL

Four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is looking forward to working with quarterback Kyler Murray as he wants to form a close relationship with the first overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft. Hopkins, who was the NFL receiving touchdowns leader in 2017, was traded from the Houston Texans to the Arizona Cardinals this offseason in a blockbuster trade.

Hopkins has been one of the best wide receivers since entering the league in 2013 and he will certainly want to perform at an extremely high level for the Cardinals. "It starts off the field, communicating with each other, calling each other, texting each other,” Hopkins said, via Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic, as quoted on Pro Football Talk.

“And just building a camaraderie — something that’s going to last for a long time, not just while we’re playing football. But after football. “My expectation is us becoming best friends and doing everything together because I have to be on the same page with my quarterback, no matter, for us to be successful as a team, not just him and I.

But Kyler’s done a great job of leading and helping me get up to speed with what’s going on with the playbook and everything and I think we’re off to a good start”.

Hopkins not concerned with lack of time

The coronavirus pandemic has delayed some of team activities and players have had tough time getting to known better their new teammates.

"I think we will have time to develop chemistry once we get out there and throw a little bit more against the defense. I think that will help,” Hopkins said. “Obviously, we don’t have a lot of time to get ready, so every rep really counts.

But I think Kyler’s mindset is, ‘We’re going to make it work, so that’s my mindset as well”. Recently, Murray shared what was his reaction when Hopkins signed with the Cardinals. "didn’t believe it,” Murray said this week on ESPN, via Dana Scott of the Arizona Republic.

“As soon as I was told, I went to YouTube and watched his highlights. Obviously, I know a lot about DeAndre, watching him for years. I didn’t believe it. I knew it two weeks before and I still didn’t believe it until they tweeted it and it got announced,” Murray said.

“I had a smile from ear to ear. Obviously, getting to work with him a couple weeks ago, great dude, loves to play football and I’m excited to have him."