DeAndre Delay: What's Holdup on Free-Agent WR Signing with Patriots?

DeAndre Hopkins had a positive visit with the New England Patriots, but is he holding out for a bigger deal from a better team?

The New England Patriots are desperate for offensive playmakers. They have $14 million in salary cap space to pay for one.

Free agent DeAndre Hopkins, conveniently, needs a new NFL home. And he has a successful familiarity with the offensive system run by new Patriots' coordinator Bill O'Brien.

The receiver visited Foxboro last week and, by all accounts, it was a positive experience that left Hopkins "intrigued" and the Pats "hopeful."

So, in the immortal words of trainer "Mickey" in Rocky II, "What are we waiting for?!"

During a recent appearance on NBC Sports, Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer delivered a hold-your-horses reminder that the deal may take longer than Pats fans want. Or, it might never happen at all.

With all the puzzle pieces seeming to fit, why did Hopkins leave New England without a contract offer?

"What this tells me ... is that he's still holding out hope that he's going to play for a contender - a true contender like Buffalo or Kansas City," Breer said. "The one thing you want to watch here: Kansas City has almost no cap space. They're working on a long-term deal for Chris Jones, their star defensive tackle, to lower his cap number. If that happens, the door could open back up for him going back to the Chiefs."

Hopkins has made only two free-agent visits: the Pats and Tennessee Titans. But if the Chiefs can find the money, it's (painfully) logical that he'd rather catch passes from Patrick Mahomes than Mac Jones or Ryan Tannehill.

"I think really what he's waiting for is something like that to materialize, because the money isn't great," Breer said. "It's not the Odell Beckham level, which was what he was looking for, and absent the money, I think he does want to play for a true contender."

In the end, the Patriots are left hoping their best winds up being good enough. Perhaps even by default.

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