DeAndre Hopkins to Visit Patriots: Favorites to Sign WR?

Five-time All Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is expected to visit the New England Patriots next week.

FOXBORO — The New England Patriots are about to about to officially enter the sweepstakes for free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. 

Per a Friday morning report from NFL Media, the Pats are expected to host the five-time Pro-Bowler for a visit next week. After being the subject of trade rumors for much of the offseason, the veteran wideout was released by the Arizona Cardinals last month. 

Hopkins has long been rumored to be of interest to the seemingly receiver-needy Patriots for quite some time. In addition to New England, the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens have been among the most prominently mentioned to be in the mix of interested parties.

Earlier this week, Hopkins agreed to make his first free agent visit with the Tennessee Titans, coached by former Patriot Mike Vrabel. He is expected to make that visit on Monday. 

Hopkins has been named to five All-Pro teams throughout his 10-year career. He has topped the 1,000 receiving yards mark in six of those seasons, with 71 total touchdown receptions. In fact, some of Hopkins’ greatest successes on a football field came while being coached by new Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien during their tenure with the Houston Texans.

Despite numerous rumors suggesting a contentious relationship between the pair, reports have suggested that both O’Brien and Hopkins may — or may not — be willing to work together once again in New England. The fact that Hopkins is willing to make a free agent visit to New England provides — at the very least — hope that he may be open to a reunion with O’Brien. 

From O’Brien’s perspective, recent reports indicate that he would be “plenty on board” when it comes to reuniting with his former Houston pupil. 

Though other potential suitors may be a stronger logistical or financial fit, New England is able to offer something that no other team can: the chance to play for head coach Bill Belichick.

While the mutual respect between Belichick and Hopkins has long been palpable, it became acutely evident when New England and Arizona met in Week 14 at State Farm Stadium. Prior to the matchup, which resulted in a 27-13 Patriots victory, Belichick was atypically effusive in his praise for the Cardinals’ wideout.

“He catches everything, has great hands, and he’s long so he’s never covered,” Belichick told reporters when asked of Hopkins’ prowess. “Even if he’s covered, there’s a place where the ball can be that he can get it and still make the catch. Great coordination on the sidelines … He’s a strong kid. You see him break tackles, creating separation on routes, yards after contact … tough yards like around the goal line or that extra yard for a first down type of thing. He’s a very smart football player, very savvy.”

At present, it is unclear as to whether Hopkins has scheduled additional free agent visits. However, he is expected to field several offers before making a decision on his playing destination for 2023. 

As the old saying goes, business is about to pick up in Foxboro. 

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