A number of teams have been rumored to be in the market to sign star free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. However, two teams are now seemingly the frontrunners in the sweepstakes to land the three-time First-Team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler wideout after reports that Hopkins will go on a free-agency visit to both Tennessee and New England.
Many expect that Hopkins will eventually sign with a Super Bowl-contending team like the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills. However, financial constraints seem to prevent that from taking place; at least for now. Hopkins’ first couple of free agency visits will be to teams that desperately need an All-Pro wide receiver on their depth chart.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported on Friday that Hopkins is set to visit the Patriots next week, following his visit to Nashville.
Former #AZCardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins is set to visit the #Patriots next week, sources say. This is after his #Titans visit, as Hopkins’ free agent market heats up. New England could add a top pass-catcher for Mac Jones. pic.twitter.com/ip2KCk2pLN
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 9, 2023
Considering the Patriots are likely on the cusp of being contenders in the AFC, it is a pretty unsurprising move. The team’s wide receiver depth chart hasn’t changed much beyond the addition of JuJu Smith-Schuster, so an addition of a player like Hopkins certainly couldn’t hurt.
Hopkins and Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien notably spent several seasons together while both were with the Houston Texans. This would make for a fascinating reunion considering O’Brien infamously traded Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in a deal that now looks a lot better in retrospect.
Many around the NFL world offered their opinion of the move.
Worth noting ahead of DeAndre Hopkins' visit, since it seems likely signing him would push out one of the Patriots' current veteran WRs:
Trading or cutting DeVante Parker would free up $6.2M in cap space with no dead money. Kendrick Bourne: $5.5M with $1.4M in dead money.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) June 9, 2023
Buddy is just driving his price up by visiting these teams+QB combos. https://t.co/vL9GdNBWq2
— Matt Lane (@Matty_KCSN) June 9, 2023
I would think the Patriots will be lower on his list of preferred destinations, but the fact that he's actually going to sit down with them is notable. https://t.co/FisFz3YBFx
— Khari Thompson (@kdthompson5) June 9, 2023
The Patriots are currently the fourth best team in the AFC East.
If they add DeAndre Hopkins….they are the fourth best team in the AFC East.
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) June 9, 2023
The Patriots didn’t engage in trade talks with the Cardinals, because of DeAndre Hopkins’ price tag. But now that his old contract isn’t a factor, the door is open.
In @theMMQB this week (https://t.co/jxsNzbHgfz), we addressed the Bill O’Brien/Hopkins dynamic. https://t.co/88xr8pnpkQ pic.twitter.com/JLNbOEYjRp
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 9, 2023
If Ryan Tannehill and Mac Jones are the QBs of the teams you're visiting… Winning is NOT the priority. https://t.co/bqXvsGjq0J
— Greg Vorse (@GregVorse) June 9, 2023
As I’ve said, expectations should be measured because Hopkins is no longer a deep threat or true #1, but his consistency could be big in a wide receiver room lacking consistent/proven production https://t.co/4E1IYkxOxB
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) June 9, 2023
Well, that’s noteworthy.
That’d be a huge addition for Mac Jones and the Patriots offense https://t.co/fLXjLTeaVX
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) June 9, 2023
I don't know how DHop and BoB work together again after how things ended between them in Houston.
Also, the "Top-5 QB" / "Checklist" crowd are in shambles. It was always about the money https://t.co/SXhxcEchKh
— Football & Other F Words (@FWordsPod) June 9, 2023
Hopkins made it clear once he was released by the Cardinals that wants to play for a contender with an elite quarterback. He previously named five quarterbacks that he would most want to play with, and none of them were on the Patriots’ roster.
It may still be a long shot for the Patriots to ultimately land Hopkins, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to meet with him.
[Ian Rapoport on Twitter; photo from Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports]
