Patriots' Bill Belichick Addresses DeAndre Hopkins Rumors
A gentleman never tells, and neither does the head coach of the New England Patriots.
As the Patriots gather for organized team activities, an aura of uncertainty but anticipation lingers over the proceedings with the team lingering among the DeAndre Hopkins gossip after he was released by the Arizona Cardinals last week. Some of those rumors have been fueled by Hopkins himself, whose 717 yards in 10 games would've made him the second-leading receiver in New England last year ... less than 100 from departed top man Jakobi Meyers.
But when asked about the team's supposed interest in Hopkins, Belichick was in no interest to lift the veil of mystery, opting to approach the situation with his trademark sense of snarky deadpan.
"I'm not going to comment on players that aren't on this team," Belichick said.
It's not exactly "We're on to Cincinnati," but Belichick has made his thoughts on the matter clear: if those at Patriots camp are going to inquire about No. 10, it better be about quarterback Mac Jones ... at least until Hopkins hypothetically signs.
The Patriots could certainly use the extra firepower as they embark on what could be a fateful season. Enough has been said about the pressures facing Jones, who will work with a playmaking unit that was slightly revamped (JuJu Smith-Schuster replacing Meyers, Mike Gesicki at tight end) but pales in comparison to the other depth charts in the AFC East. Issues could surface thanks to the arrival of new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien (who ended the pair's shared time in Houston via trade) but the Patriots have a prime opportunity to land a proven game-changer like Hopkins so late in the offseason game.
Don't, of course, expect Belichick to acknowledge that before Hopkins' helmet turns silver.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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