FOXBORO, Mass. — If the New England Patriots sign free-agent DeAndre Hopkins, it could come at the expense of another wide receiver's position on the roster.

It’s at least worth getting that out of way before presenting Patriots wideout DeVante Parker’s response to questions about Hopkins’ looming visit that’s reportedly scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

“I’m just focused on us right now,” Parker said when asked how he’d feel about New England signing the five-time Pro Bowl selection. “Great player, but I’m just focused on us.”

Parker was asked if he’s met Hopkins.

“I’m focused on us,” he repeated.

Parker then was asked if he thought the Patriots’ wide receiver corps could use some help.

“I’m focused on us, man,” he said. “Next question.”

The reporter began to ask a follow-up but was interrupted by Parker.

“Next question,” he said.

Another follow-up came and Parker similarly shut it down.

“Next question,” he repeated.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has said he won’t talk about players who aren’t on the team. It’s entirely possible that Parker was simply trying to follow his coach’s direction when being asked about a player who is not on the Patriots.

At the same time, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne both said they would like to have Hopkins aboard.

“I think that’s definitely a hypothetical, but I think DeAndre’s a great player,” Jones said. “You watch his film from college all the way through the NFL, he’s done a great job. So obviously, we’d love to have him. But we do have a great group of guys."

“That’d be cool, Bourne said. "Great player. So anything that'll help us win I'm with."

None of Parker’s $5.7 million 2023 salary is guaranteed. New England could cut or trade him without any dead cap. They would free up $6.1 million by releasing or trading him. Bourne is in a similar position, however. Trading or releasing Bourne would free up over $5 million in cap space.

Hopkins would certainly make the Patriots better. That doesn’t do a wide receiver any good if he was to be left off of the roster for Hopkins, however.

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