New England Patriots
Hopkins was one of the premier receivers of the 2010s, and played with Mike Vrabel in 2023.
DeAndre Hopkins is spending time in Foxborough this week. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
The Patriots are hosting one of the best wide receivers of the 2010s in Foxborough this week as he weighs a possible coaching career in the NFL.
DeAndre Hopkins, who has yet to formally retire from the NFL after spending time with the Baltimore Ravens last season, appears to be open to transitioning to post-playing career ties to football. He’s spending time with New England’s wide receivers and offensive staff over the next few days, Mike Vrabel told reporters Friday.
“He’s here with us just to kind of check things out as far as what he wants to do,” Vrabel said. “He’s helping out the offensive coaches and meeting with the personnel guys.”
Hopkins amassed over 13,000 receiving yards across 13 seasons, played for Vrabel in 2023 in Tennessee, where he had a 1,000-yard season and scored seven touchdowns.
Given the Patriots’ mix of young receivers and veterans new to New England, Hopkins’s expertise and voice should travel in the room.
It’s unclear if Hopkins might be able to join the Patriots staff after his trial period ends. He may decide he wants to attempt a comeback as a player, or seek coaching opportunities elsewhere.
Boston has been open to situations like this in the past. The Celtics hosted their former NBA Champion, Rajon Rondo, for a few days in an advisory role in 2024 as the point guard looked to expand his own horizons in the coaching world.
And Vrabel’s own special assistant gig with the Cleveland Browns helped restart his coaching career as well, it stands to reason that the former linebacker would pay that forward to a former player of his.
Patriots fans who dreamt of having Hopkins join them in one of his free agency decisions likely won’t see that happen. But the 34-year-old is in New England, at least in the interim, while awaiting his next move.
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