DeAndre Hopkins has been mentioned as a possible trade target for the New England Patriots throughout the 2023 offseason.
But, there could be one significant issue when it comes to getting this potential deal done.
Former Texans head coach/general manager Bill O’Brien is taking over as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator in 2023. Previous reports indicated that O’Brien and Hopkins had a rocky relationship before the wide receiver was shockingly traded in early 2020.
During an appearance with The Pat McAfee Show on Friday, former Texans superstar J.J. Watt was asked if Hopkins and O’Brien could reconcile and work together in New England.
“Time can make everything different.. myself and Bill O’Brien have been in many battles over the years but we still talk,” Watt said.
The Patriots were starved at the wide receiver position in 2022, but have already added JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Mike Gesicki to their pass-catching corps this offseason.
Hopkins has two more seasons left on his current contract with Arizona and is set to earn $19.45 million in 2023.