Well, there is now officially mutual interest between All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and the New England Patriots. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported DeAndre Hopkins will head to Foxborough to visit the New England Patriots next week.
It was announced earlier in the week that Hopkins would visit the Titans on Sunday, meaning the Patriots are now the second team Hopkins will visit. However, there’s no rush to get a deal done as Hopkins has stated his focus is on training camp, not minicamp. Training camp will kick off at the end of July.
Hopkins, 31, was cut by the Arizona Cardinals last month after trade talks failed. The Free-agent is now free to sign whenever he wants, and the Patriots could be a fit for both sides. Since Tom Brady’s departure, the Patriots have lacked a super-star wide receiver, and Hopkins could reunite with his former head coach, Bill O’Brien.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has hinted at his love for Hopkins, saying “every bit as good as anybody (he’s) ever coached against” before last season’s Monday night matchup with the Cardinals. Hopkins said on the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast earlier this month he is looking for three things. He wants stable management, a quarterback who loves football, and a great defense. Good thing for Patriots fans, New England has checked all those boxes, and it’s noteworthy he specifically mentioned he doesn’t need to play with an elite quarterback.
The Patriots receiving core is JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, DeVante Parker, Tre Nixon, Raleigh Webb, and rookies Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte.
This is a developing story; please check back later for updates.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
