Bill Belichick has never been shy, be it in the press or on the field pregame, about letting players he respects know how much he appreciates them. Rarely has the feeling been returned like this.
Speaking on the field at State Farm Stadium in Arizona Monday night before the Patriots at Cardinals game, Bill Belichick had a chat with Cardinals All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Belichick greeted Hopkins, one of the best receivers in the NFL over the past decade, with a compliment: “I’m glad we only have to play you every four years, man.”
"I love you, man," Hopkins responded. And with that the mutual lovefest was underway.
The Patriots only have to play the Cardinals once every four years, usually, as they’re in the NFC West. However this year the Cards were the bonus 17th game, a non-conference opponent the Patriots drew (last year it was Dallas in Foxborough). Hopkins, previously with the Houston Texans, has played well against the Patriots, but never caught a TD vs. the Pats, only rushing one in back in 2019.
Hopkins was kept in check well enough Monday night by Belichick, who’s also never been shy about letting elite receivers know his plan to defend them. D-Hop picked up 79 yards on seven catches, but also had a key fumble that turned into a scoop-and-score for linebacker Raekwon McMillan, a turning point in the game Hopkins took full responsibility for. Maybe he lost focus thinking about his pregame chat with Belichick, or maybe thinking about playing in Foxborough next season? A coach, player and fan can dream. Hopkins is under contract with the Cardinals for two more seasons.
The clip is from the latest episode of HBO’s in-season “Hard Knocks” following the Cardinals. It premiered Wednesday night and is available to stream now on HBO Max.
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