Free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins recently hired a new agent - one Kelton Crenshaw of Klutch Sports Group. The attorney and certified NFL contract agent has experience in the field, having represented Eagles' WR DeVonta Smith among others, but the Patriots may be a different beast.
So - should the new pairing of Hopkins and Crenshaw tread lightly in their ongoing contract discussions with Bill Belichick? Former Patriots tight end Christian Fauria thinks so.
On Friday’s edition of Gresh and Fauria, the two discussed if the 31-year-old should play hardball with New England and wait out accepting their contract offer:
“This is how deals get taken off the table,” Fauria explained, bringing up the Stefon Diggs drama in Buffalo and the Chase Claypool drama in Chicago. “The deal gets taken off the table. 'Sorry, you waited too long, we’re going in a different direction, this guy’s available now,’ or [they’re] just done dealing with you.
“The Patriots will flat out say, ‘Go screw.’”
Fauria and co-host Andy Gresh then floated the idea that “you can push, but don’t shove” the Patriots in contract negotiations:
“That happened to me with them,” said Fauria. “I shoved, and it happened to other people the same way. They just say, ‘I’m done with the volley… and then you’re like CRAP! You’re like AGHH!”
You can listen to the full segment here:
gresh and fauria: If not the Patriots for DeAndre Hopkins, then where?
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Hopkins “appeared intrigued by the possibility of playing for New England and coach Bill Belichick” following his visit with the Patriots on Thursday, but is in no rush to sign. According to Mike Reiss, "both sides are now expected to take some time to assess their next steps."
If there is, in fact, already a contract offer on the table - perhaps Hopkins should take the advice of Gresh:
“Tread lightly. Belichick can only be pushed so far.”
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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