Arizona Cardinals Win MIT Sloan Alpha Award for “Best Sports Transaction of the Year” for DeAndre Hopkins Trade

The Arizona Cardinals had a mediocre 2020 season on most accounts, but one moment did stand out: the acquisition of WR DeAndre Hopkins.

As if things couldn’t get worse for the Houston Texans, their trade partner just won an award for the best sports transaction of the year. Most people don’t know of the award’s existence, but it’s probably a GM’s worst nightmare to be on the wrong side of it.

Every year, the MIT Sloan Sports Analytic conference gives out an “Alpha” award to recognize the best transaction in sports. Interestingly, last year the Raiders secured the trophy after they traded Khalil Mack to Chicago for 3 draft picks.

This time around, the conference announced on Friday, the Arizona Cardinals earned the honor. In a great piece of business last offseason, Arizona managed to acquire Hopkins and a 4th round selection for just 2 draft picks and RB David Johnson.

Cardinals acquisition of WR DeAndre Hopkins has received the Alpha Award for “Best Sports Transaction of the Year” from the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, an announcement made at the group’s 2021 gathering on Friday.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 12, 2021

Arizona’s trade last offseason for DeAndre Hopkins earned the Alpha Award from @SloanSportsConf as the ‘Best Sports Transaction of the Year.’

The former @ClemsonFB star finished second in the NFL in receptions and third in receiving yards in 2020. pic.twitter.com/vGaWymempG

— Marc Whiteman (@MarcWYFFNews4) April 12, 2021

Of course, making jokes at the expense of the Texans has become football fans’ favorite pastime, and this was exactly how social media reacted to the news. Fans took to Twitter, awarding Houston and Bill O’Brien a fictional “Omega” award for the worst sports transaction of the year.

DeAndre Hopkins Stats in 2020

Hopkins obviously had an impactful season to justify winning an award like this. He was top 3 in the league in both receptions and receiving yards, and came up clutch numerous times, including a picture-perfect Hail Mary catch to beat the Bills.

Here are his official stats for the season:

Receptions: 115

Yards: 1407

Touchdowns: 6

Catch %: 71.9%

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