Source: Patriots, DeAndre Hopkins maintain mutual interest after visit
Free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ visit with the New England Patriots wrapped up Thursday without a contract in place, but that doesn’t mean the two parties can’t strike a deal at a later time. The visit went well, according to a source, and there’s “a lot of mutual interest” between Hopkins and New England. The […]
Free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ visit with the New England Patriots wrapped up Thursday without a contract in place, but that doesn’t mean the two parties can’t strike a deal at a later time.
The visit went well, according to a source, and there’s “a lot of mutual interest” between Hopkins and New England. The Patriots are breaking for the summer this week after the conclusion of the offseason workout program. The NFL schedule allows five weeks between spring practices and the start of training camp in the final week of July.
So, there’s no urgency to complete a deal imminently with no practices scheduled until late next month. Hopkins already has experience in offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s offense from their time together with the Houston Texans when O’Brien was head coach. That would help the acclimation process if Hopkins did join New England.
The Patriots have over $14 million in cap space and exponentially more in 2024 and 2025. They have the flexibility to sign Hopkins without making other moves to free up cap space. New England could open up more cap space by cutting or trading wide receivers DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne, however.
Hopkins met with the Tennessee Titans earlier this week. No other future visits for Hopkins have been reported.
Featured image via Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports
