Ex-Texans Coach: DeAndre Hopkins, Patriots Fit 'Easily'

A former Houston Texans position coach has said that he believes that DeAndre Hopkins and Bill O'Brien could work together in a reunion.

The New England Patriots are in the market for a wide receiver after a disappointing 2023 season where they fell just short of making the NFL Playoffs. 

Among many candidates that the Patriots could potentially acquire this offseason via free agency or trade, Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins seems to be at the top of the wish list. But after the recent hiring of offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, the brakes are being pumped on that idea according to one NFL insider. 

Despite the working relationship between O'Brien, the former Houston Texans head coach, and Hopkins as one that wasn't great, a person close to both still believes that the pairing could still be successful together. In a recent interview with Mass Live, John Perry, who coached Hopkins for three seasons and was up close and personal with him and O'Brien, said that the star wide-out would "easily" work for O'Brien again.

“I know they would easily be able to work together again because they’re both professionals and both want the same thing, which is just to play at a high level and give their team the best opportunity to win.”

- John Perry

Perry did acknowledge that despite their rocky relationship that O'Brien and Hopkins did find some success together.

"I think adult relationships are always complicated no matter what you do. But the thing is when you look at DeAndre Hopkins and his relationship with Coach O'Brien, both brought out the best in each other," Perry said. 

The pairing worked together for six years, with Hopkins making the Pro Bowl four times, not including the 2020 season, where O'Brien was fired mid-way through. 

Perry was in the building throughout those six years, being the tight-end coach for the first three years before taking over the wide receiver room for the final three. 

Yet ultimately, if the Patriots acquire Hopkins, it will be because of the mutual respect held between Hopkins and coach Bill Belichick. Belichick offered extremely high praise for the former Clemson receiver ahead of the Monday Night Football game between the Patriots and Arizona Cardinals.

"He's a smart football player. Very savvy. I'd say his ball skills are at the very elite level of guys that I've seen in this league," Belichick said. "He's up there with whoever the top guys are. The Cris Carters of the world. Guys like that. I think he's every bit as good as anybody I've ever coached against."

---

New England and beyond! Get your Patriots game tickets from SI Tickets ... here!

Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook

Follow Harrison Reno on Twitter @HarrisonReno

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.