Patriots linebacker has unique pitch for DeAndre Hopkins
Mack Wilson Sr. has made one thing clear this offseason: he wants DeAndre Hopkins to join the New England Patriots. And his recruiting efforts are still underway, with the linebacker replying to Hopkins's latest comment on the new social media app Threads. On Thursday, the 31-year old receiver made a comment regarding his future retirement, […]
Mack Wilson Sr. has made one thing clear this offseason: he wants DeAndre Hopkins to join the New England Patriots.
And his recruiting efforts are still underway, with the linebacker replying to Hopkins's latest comment on the new social media app Threads.
On Thursday, the 31-year old receiver made a comment regarding his future retirement, and Wilson was quick to draw on some examples from the Patriots past and current roster that show long careers.
“I’ll retire from football when I’m not a 1k-yard receiver. With that said, I was on pace for 1,400 yards last year—one significant injury in 11 years. I might be playing till I’m 37 the way I feel,” Hopkins wrote.
Following his post, Wilson responded with yet another pitch for Hopkins.
The linebacker tagged Devin McCourty, saying the safety who retired after last season, "definitely have some left in the tank." He also mentioned that maybe Hopkins could "ask (Matthew) Slater," who is entering his 16th season in the league and with the Patriots.
With those two prime examples, Wilson wrote, "Become a patriot and you bound to play that long @deandrehopkins."
Hopkins was suspended for the first six games of last season due to a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy. He returned in Week 7 and finished the year playing in nine games with 64 receptions for 717 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Across his 10 years in the NFL, Hopkins has six 1,000+ yard seasons.
And Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien has seen a few of these 1,000+ yard seasons first hand, having been with Hopkins during his six-year tenure as head coach of the Houston Texans.
The Patriots ranked 15th in the NFL with $14,025,985, per a tweet from ESPN’s Field Yates, which fits within the desired amount Hopkins appears to wants. And since that tweet was posted, that number has gone up, with the Patriots extending and restructuring deals with receiver DeVante Parker and linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley.
Hopkins visited with the Patriots in mid-June, which was reportedly very successful. The receiver even posted a photo on his Instagram story alongside Matthew Judon in the Patriots locker room. Judon has since said that he would "love to have" Hopkins join New England. .
There remains optimism that a potential deal can get done between the Patriots and Hopkins, but the Pro Bowl receiver is waiting to see what happens with training camp beginning at the end of July.
Another weapon for Mac Jones will certainly be welcome, but it remains unclear whether Hopkins will be in a Patriots uniform by the start of the season.
Patriots linebacker hints at DeAndre Hopkins coming to New England
The rumors about DeAndre Hopkins joining the Patriots are continuing to heat up.
Featured Image via Michael Chow / USA TODAY NETWORK
