Another day, another DeAndre Hopkins rumor.
Now that the All-Pro wide receiver is officially a free agent, he has the choice to sign with any team he wants — and apparently, the Patriots are interested.
“There are several teams, including the New England Patriots, who are interested in DeAndre Hopkins,” ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported. “We’re going to see, over the next few weeks, Hopkins taking visits with different teams… and he’s going to make a decision on what’s best for him.”
The Patriots’ interest in Hopkins was also reported on by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who said on his podcast Tuesday that New England is one of four teams in the mix.
“It may be the one that makes the most financial sense, and if it is, then of course everybody can make it work,” Schefter said. “But I just don’t think we start out thinking that New England is going to be a top option, though in the end it could end up being the place that he lands.”
Hopkins is due $19.43 million in 2023, which is likely why Arizona decided on his release once a trade could not be completed. New Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien coached Hopkins in Houston, so the fit makes sense from a football perspective. While O’Brien is the one who traded the veteran pass catcher to Arizona, their alleged feud is reportedly a moot point now.
The Patriots may be comfortable at the position as second-year WR Tyquan Thornton was one of the more impressive ones in the bunch at OTAs on Wednesday. However, if they’re not, New England should be ecstatic at the opportunity to add a true No. 1 to Mac Jones’ arsenal.
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