Patriots Ex: New England ‘Feeling Good’ About DeAndre Hopkins Visit
FOXBORO — While free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has yet to sign a contract with the New England Patriots, optimism remains high throughout the organization as the five-time All Pro makes a decision on his next NFL team
Hopkins spent the better part of Wednesday and Thursday in New England, taking a free agency visit with the Patriots. Though he may have left the region without signing a contract, the meeting was, by all accounts, positive for both sides.
In fact, some members of the Patriots have already expressed their hopefulness to a trusted old friend, and teammate.
Former Pats cornerback, and co-host of NFL Media’s Good Morning Football, Jason McCourty believes that coach Bill Belichick and the organization are justified in feeling confident about the impression they made on Hopkins during his visit.
“I think there's a mutual respect from DeAndre Hopkins and from [Bill] Belichick and the New England Patriots,” McCourty said Friday morning.
“Spoke to some guys around that area, guys on the team, and they feel really good about that visit,” McCourty continued. “Obviously … nothing’s set in stone. I’m not saying he's going to the New England Patriots. But once he was on that visit … once he was there, once he was in the building, guys feel really good, not only about them wanting to get him there, but also DeAndre Hopkins having interest in wanting to play for New England Patriots.”
Hopkins has long been rumored to be of interest to the receiver-needy Patriots for quite some time. He made his first free agent visit with the Tennessee Titans, coached by former Patriot Mike Vrabel, on Monday. However, he left Nashville without having signed a contract.
Having arrived in New England on Wednesday, details on his meeting with the Pats brass remained scarce until Hopkins posted the following message on Instagram.
Though other potential suitors may be considered a stronger logistical or financial fit, New England is able to offer something that no other team can: the chance to play for head coach Bill Belichick. A source confirmed to Patriots Country that both Hopkins and Belichick spent time speaking in a one-on-one setting. As the substance of their conversation will remain private, is should be a safe bet that the ‘HC of the NEP’ is eager to add Hopkins to the list of legendary talent he has coached during his two-plus decades in the NFL.
“Juju Smith-Schuster signed there in free agency and then said it meant something for the New England Patriots and for Bill to want him to come play for that team,” McCourty said. “We'll see in the coming days, weeks when it actually happens …
“But DeAndre Hopkins, I think in that New England Patriots uniform, I know Bill .. and Mac Jones would be very happy.”
Whether Hopkins’ emotions are mutual will be determined within short order, as the NFL universe — especially New England — awaits his decision.
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