'Ring Chase': Bills Stealing DeAndre Hopkins From Patriots?

The New England Patriots are one of the favorites to sign DeAndre Hopkins, but the Buffalo Bills are potentially lurking.

The New England Patriots are the betting favorite to sign free-agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins, just ahead of their AFC East rival Buffalo Bills. After hosting him on a visit last month, the Patriots and Tennessee Titans are seemingly the only two teams seemingly in serious contention for the 31-year-old.

Yet, NFL insider Jeff Darlington doesn't think the Bills are completely out of the race for the former Arizona Cardinal. Speaking Monday during his appearance on the "Rich Eisen Show," Darlington reiterated that he believes Hopkins has a spot in Buffalo if he wants it. 

"My understanding with the Bills is, yeah, they love DeAndre Hopkins, and he'd be a great addition, but they're not gonna pay him," Darlington said. "If he wants to ring chase, there's a spot for him."

Major emphasis on "if," as currently, it seems Hopkins will go to the highest bidder. Of the two teams involved in the Hopkins race, the Patriots have the most salary cap money available at an estimated $17.7 million, according to OverTheCap. Compare that to the Titans at $8 million and the Bills at $5 million; it is easy to see why the Patriots are a serious contender for his signature.

Although with quarterback Josh Allen and receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Buffalo has a natural appeal even if it can't offer him his desired contract. The Bills have been Super Bowl contenders essentially from the day they landed Diggs, but have fallen short in recent years of making it past the AFC Championship game. 

Last season's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the divisional round can likely be blamed on a lack of playmakers outside of Diggs. Signing Hopkins would solve that problem, giving them two No. 1-caliber receivers and furthering their distance from the Patriots in the division.  

At the end of the day, though, it will come down to the career goals of Hopkins. Does he want a ring or a lucrative deal? The Bills offer him the best chance at a Super Bowl, while the Patriots can give him more money.

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