DeAndre Hopkins Signing? Texans Pal Deshaun Watson’s Browns ‘Lurking’

We are betting that Deshaun Watson, traded by Houston to Cleveland a year ago, would like DeAndre Hopkins wearing a Browns uniform.

Deshaun Watson has made it clear he would love a reunion with old Houston Texans pal DeAndre Hopkins … leading one to wonder if that is among the reasons the star receiver has yet to sign on with the supposed favorite.

We know the New England Patriots have gotten cozy with Hopkins and that there is “mutual respect” there, from boss Bill Belichick on down. (And yes, that includes offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, who once oversaw the foolish trade-away of Hopkins in Houston.)

But now comes word, via ESPN's Sal Paolantonio, that New England might have company in the “Nuk” sweepstakes, with the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers still "lurking" on him.

While the New England Patriots sound like the leaders, the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers are still lurking on DeAndre Hopkins, per Sal Paolantonio on ESPN Radio.

— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) June 27, 2023

Hopkins visited the Patriots a little over a week ago after he visited the Tennessee Titans. The Titans made a contract offer; we don’t know the Patriots status in that regard. But while Hopkins surely wants to be with a winning program - and the Patriots and the Titans and the Browns and the Panthers (quarterbacked by prized rookie Bryce Young) could all conceivably be that - at age 31 he surely also would like to get paid.

He was released by the Cardinals last month after they failed to find a trade for him, in part because of his $17 million APY salary. Hopkins, who finished last season with 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns while missing six games due to a suspension, would naturally like to achieve that same salary. 

And we are betting that Watson, traded by Houston to Cleveland a year ago, would like Hopkins to achieve that while wearing a Browns uniform.

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