It was reported Friday that free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will visit the Patriots next week. This meeting will take place after he visits the Titans.
If Hopkins chooses the Patriots, he’ll get to learn from Bill Belichick. Judging by their interactions in the past, they’d get along very well.
During last season’s meeting between the Cardinals and Patriots, Belichick had a friendly chat with Hopkins near New England’s sideline.
After the game was over, Belichick raved about Hopkins’ skills and intangibles.
“He’s every bit as good as anybody I’ve ever coached against,” Belichick said, via ESPN. “… He’s got tremendous ball skills. He catches everything, has great hands, and he’s long so he’s never covered. 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, and he doesn’t really look it but he’s a strong kid.
“… He’s a very smart football player, very savvy. But his ball skills are at the very elite level with guys that I’ve seen in this league. He’s up there with whoever the top guys are, the Cris Carters of the world and guys like that.”
“You know I do my job man.”
The mutual respect between Bill Belichick and DeAndre Hopkins was on full display in Arizona last season. pic.twitter.com/sDnYwcGUFK
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) June 9, 2023
Hopkins would most likely be the No. 1 option in the Patriots’ passing game. He would take pressure off JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton and Kendrick Bourne.
The Patriots have roughly $13 million in cap space to spend on Hopkins.
At the end of the day though, it’ll be up to Belichick to persuade Hopkins to join New England’s roster.