Actions could speak louder than words in the case of free agent running back Dalvin Cook dropping a potential hint to the New England Patriots.

The four-time Pro Bowl running back remains unsigned after his release from the Minnesota Vikings on June 9. Former Patriots assistant Michael Lombardi described Cook as a good fit for New England during the “Pat McAfee Show“, and Cook retweeted the segment on Friday, June 23.

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“I actually believe Dalvin Cook would be a better fit than [DeAndre] Hopkins for them,” Lombardi said.

Hopkins, a star free agent wide receiver, visited the Patriots on June 15 and received a contract offer according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini. Cook notably told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he would like to pair up with Hopkins but didn’t specify a team.

Dalvin Cook Could Add Needed Depth to Patriots Backfield

With the Patriots, Cook could fit in as Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has employed multiple running backs on offense before. That could still be the case with a Patriots squad that has little after Rhamondre Stevenson, who went over 1,000 yards last season.

“Stevenson’s a great player. There’s no question,” Lombardi said. “But without Stevenson and if he goes down, it’s Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris. They need another back — back there.”

“And I think Cook is a good change of pace — catch a screen [pass] and go a long way,” Lombardi added. “I think he’ll make a huge difference for the Patriots with Stevenson.”

Cook has four-consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons and 43 touchdowns in that span with no less than six in a year. The Vikings released him to save $9 million in salary cap space amid his five-year, $63 million deal.

His asking price could still come quite high at $8.7 million annually or a two-year, $17.5 million deal as projected by Spotrac. The Patriots have $13.2 million in salary cap space.

That could be sufficient space for the Patriots to also sign Hopkins, who also received an offer from the Tennessee Titans. Hopkins was released by the Arizona Cardinals on May 26 amid his two-year, $54.5 million deal.

New England would just need Cook and/or Hopkins to take less money up front on their potential deals. Hopkins could command up to $23.2 million annually or a three-year, $69.6 million deal per Spotrac.

Star skill players aside, the Patriots can’t ignore concerning needs at tackle. Trent Brown showed up late and out of shape for mandatory minicamp this month. Riley Reiff, 34, has missed five games in the past two seasons, and Calvin Anderson and Conor McDermott have limited experience as starters if called upon.

Whole AFC East in Contention for Dalvin Cook

With that said, the Patriots could face Cook twice — or more — per season if he doesn’t sign in Foxborough. Cook has shown interest in everyone else in the AFC East.

The New York Jets joined that party this week when Cook retweeted an ESPN clip where the “Get Up” hosts discussed Cook as a fit for the Jets. Cook would add a force to the backfield to complement Breece Hall in New York if that happened.

Previously, Cook showed interest in the Buffalo Bills and his hometown Miami Dolphins.

DeAndre Hopkins remains a viable target for the New England Patriots, and somebody who would make quarterback Mac Jones better. Yet, not everybody believes the three-time first-team All-Pro wide receiver is the big name the Patriots should sign during the remainder of free agency.

In fact, one former NFL executive with close ties to the Pats thinks Bill Belichick should focus his attention on signing four-time Pro-Bowl running back Dalvin Cook. Speaking on an edition of the Pat McAfee Show, Michael Lombardi explained why Cook would “make a huge difference for the Patriots’ offense.”

Lombardi views Cook, who was released by the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, June 9, as “one of those really good change of pace, catch a screen go a long way.”

Those qualities can offer terrific support to lead Patriots’ workhorse Rhamondre Stevenson, dubbed by Lombardi “a great player, there’s no question, but without Stevenson, if he goes down, it’s Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris.”

Belichick’s running back depth chart does look thin following the decision to waive veteran James Robinson. Signing a rushing threat with Cook’s ample pedigree would make the Pats loaded and potentially dominant on the ground.

The Patriots need to act fast to reap those rewards because Cook has already talked up a pair of New England’s AFC East rivals.

DeAndre Hopkins Alternative Can Give Patriots Edge in AFC East

Belichick has traditionally held sway in the division, as well as the NFL overall, because of his willingness to go against the grain. When most of the league was running a 3-4 defense at the ends of the 2000s and start of the 2010s, Belichick was one of the first to switch back to a 4-3, presenting a different challenge to offenses used to preparing for three-man fronts.

In recent years, when football has become more and more tethered to the pass, Belichick has still used fullbacks, deployed six offensive linemen and played power football in the running game.

Sticking to the latter approach would make the Patriots different in the AFC East, where the rest are reliant on wide-open passing games. Like the New York Jets with Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson, the Buffalo Bills with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs and the Miami Dolphins having Tua Tagovailoa throw to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

A Stevenson and Cook double act would let the Patriots beat up on defenses more geared to stopping the pass. Cook would be an asset thanks to four-straight 1,000-yard seasons, including 1,173 and eight rushing touchdowns a year ago.

The 27-year-old proved his flair for the big play is still intact by producing five runs of 20-plus yards and three of 40-plus. His biggest play was this 81-yard touchdown scamper against the Bills.

Cook is a home-run threat teams would’t be able to ignore, even with a fellow 1,000-yard runner like Stevenson in the same backfield. Both run with power between the tackles, boast potentially game-breaking speed and are excellent receivers, with Cook catching 221 passes during his career.

Cook’s versatility makes him a worthy option for a number of teams, despite what Heavy’s Senior NFL Reporter Matt Lombardo rightly referred to as the “grim reality” facing running backs in today’s game.

Cook should have his pick of suitors, but his pick could be bad news for the Patriots. Especially after the six-year pro mentioned the Dolphins and Jets while speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Name-dropping division rivals doesn’t necessarily spell doom for the Patriots. Not after Cook previously called the idea of joining up with Hopkins “something epic.”

The Pats haven’t signed Hopkins yet, but they have reason to think twice about any deal involving the wideout.

Time to Rethink DeAndre Hopkins Necessity

Hopkins would immediately became the go-to receiver in New England if he signs, and he still might, at least based on reports about a contract offer. The 31-year-old would also make Mac Jones a better quarterback, but it’s not as if Jones isn’t already set to get more help this season.

Acquiring said help is why the Patriots signed wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Mike Gesicki in free agency. They’ve joined DeVante Parker, a capable veteran with a 1,202-yard campaign on his CV.

Parker, Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton and potential draft steal Demario Douglas form a much-improved cadre of receivers. They’ll be helped by Gesicki and red-zone specialist Hunter Henry, as well as Stevenson’s ability to snag passes out of the backfield.

Stevenson averaged 6.9 yards after the catch and broke 11 tackles across 69 receptions last season, per Pro Football Reference. No. 38 is a nifty weapon in the passing game, proved by his nuanced route running and sure hands for this scoring grab against the Indianapolis Colts.

Adding Cook, a back possessing similar receiving skills, would give Jones another useful target. Rolling into another season without a legitimate No. 1 receiver would be a gamble for Jones and Belichick, but unleashing arguably the best one-two backfield combination in football would more than mitigate the risk.

Dalvin Cook wants to combine forces with DeAndre Hopkins and the Dallas Cowboys have been pitched as a home or the superstar duo.

Cook and Hopkins are the biggest name free agents still available. Both were released in cap-saving moves by the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals, respectively, and Cook revved up the idea of the two teaming up at their next stop.

“If we end up on the same roster, that would be something epic for the NFL,” Cook said on the Adam Schefter Podcast. “I know his mindset, and I done play against D-Hop a numerous amount of times. When I been with D-Hop, we done chill together, we done been around each other like, and it’s like I kind of see the person that he is like, he want to win and that’s what my mind at to.”

The Cowboys have been rumored as a destination for both players at times, although it’s been dubbed highly unlikely. However, Joe Rivera of The Sporting News identified the Cowboys as one of the teams that could land the star pair.

“Dallas said they weren’t making a play for either Hopkins nor Cook, so maybe this is more pipe dream than talent pipeline, but it’s hard to deny either wouldn’t make the Cowboys a better offensive team in the immediate,” Rivera wrote. “Wouldn’t this be so very ‘Jerry?'”

Cowboys Called Out for Not Pursuing Dalvin Cook

The Cowboys have around $20.5 million in effective cap space but still have some significant contracts to figure out, including for Dak Prescott, Trevon Diggs and CeeDee Lamb. Cook and Hopkins likely wouldn’t get the most lucrative or long-term deals from the Cowboys — but they would get a chance to win.

After back-to-back 12-win seasons, the Cowboys have their sights set on a Super Bowl run. If they are truly invested in hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, going all in with a couple of veteran big names would help their cause.

“Dallas don’t tell me you’re legit about wanting to do everything that you can do to go win a Super Bowl if you don’t sign Dalvin Cook,” Dan Orlovsky said on ESPN’s First take. “You’re starting tailback Tony Pollard broke his leg like five months ago. Dalvin Cook can still flat-out go. You’re an organization with head coach Mike McCarthy, who fired his offensive coordinator and says I want to run the football more. You want to run the football more with the guy that just broke his leg five months ago?”

Schefter: Cook-Hopkins Pairing Probably Not Happening

While speaking to Schefter, Cook made it clear winning is his priority and he’s less concerned about the money. He believes Hopkins has the same line of thinking.

“I want to go win. Like I said, the money gonna come and that’s going to happen,” Cook said. But like as far as going to lift that [Vince Lombardi] Trophy up, he got the same mindset as me.”

While it’s interesting to debate, landing with the Cowboys is likely more fantasy than reality. And Schefter is not sure a team would even bite on signing both players.

“[Cook] was like, ‘I’d love to play with him. It would be epic.’ Now, do I think that’s going to happen? Ultimately, probably not,” Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show. “But it’s not out of the question. It’s just a question of whether a team would be willing to pay both. Whether each guy might be willing to take a little bit less to be together. Again, not a likely scenario, but not out of the question.”

Hopkins has visited with the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots. Cook has been heavily linked to the Miami Dolphins since being let go by Minnesota.

The New England Patriots offered a contract to star free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.

Hopkins, who also received an offer from the Tennessee Titans, has yet to sign a new deal  since his May 26 release from the Arizona Cardinals. Russini reported that Hopkins will take his time.

“His sales job continues trying to get more teams interested at this point, because right now, we know that there are only two teams that have had DeAndre Hopkins come to their facility,” Russini said on “NFL Live” on Thursday, June 22.

“I was told by sources close to the situation that Hopkins is going over some of the offers from both of those teams, the Titans and the Patriots,” Russini added. “He’s mulling over and trying to come up with a decision with what he wants to do.”

Hopkins visited the Patriots and Titans last week, but he hasn’t visited another team since. The three-time All-Pro remains unsigned with almost five weeks left before training camps open in late July.

“I was told to be very patient here,” Russini continued regarding Hopkins’ timeframe. “This isn’t something that’s going to go down in the next 24 or 48 hours. It’s going to take some time for DeAndre Hopkins to come up with his final decision of where he wants to play.”

DeAndre Hopkins Has Vested Interest in Waiting

Hopkins waiting doesn’t come as a total surprise. ESPN’s Adam Schefter previously explained that there’s truly no rush for a free agent such as Hopkins to sign during the quietest period of the offseason.

“It’s been a flat market. It doesn’t sound like he’s in any rush to [sign] a deal,” Schefter said. “You don’t have to sign in the middle of June when you can wait until right before training camp.

“For all we know, some team suffers an injury, some team loses a receiver, the dynamics change and shift, and there could be more leverage at some point in time for DeAndre Hopkins,” Schefter added.

“So he can listen to Tennessee, he can listen to New England, he can see what they’re offering, but there’s no rush,” Schefter continued. “He can wait until a firmer offer from another team materializes. Doesn’t sound like he’s in a rush to do anything right now.”

For now, the Patriots at least have the benefit of a positive visit with Hopkins. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Hopkins “gave the impression he’s certainly intrigued, interested in playing with New England.”

Bill Belichick, DeAndre Hopkins Visited at Length

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer noted that Hopkins visited with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick for a while during the visit. Hopkins and Belichick had a notable chat at a December 2022 game between the Patriots and Cardinals.

“But I think one thing that came across is this is going to have to be on Bill’s terms,” Breer said on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher & Rich Podcast” last week. “And I think the fact that Bill and Hopkins spent one-on-one time at the end of the visit, tells me that those terms have been discussed.”

“And are Bill’s terms now getting closer to what Hopkins’ terms for going to a team would be? That to me is the question,” Breer added. “Because I still think money is a factor. If money was less of a factor, I think he’d be a Buffalo Bill or a Kansas City Chief now.”

The New England Patriots could have a super team look at skill positions if an ‘epic’ dream comes true.

Prized free agent running back Dalvin Cook wants to team up with a star free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who visited the Patriots last week. Cook as much during “The Adam Schefter Podcast” on Monday, June 19.

“If we end up on the same roster, that would be something epic for the NFL,” Cook told Schefter.

New England quickly surfaced as a potential destination for both stars, which could put the Patriots in a drastically better spot for 2023. The Patriots notably have $14.95 million in salary cap space to work with, and it remains possible that neither star will find their ideal asking prices for contracts anywhere.

With that said, Cook told Schefter he wants a Super Bowl ring. Hopkins previously said as much during the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast.

“I want to go win. Like I said, the money gonna come and that’s going to happen,” Cook told Schefter. “But like as far as going to lift that [Vince Lombardi] Trophy up, he got the same mindset as me.”

“I know his mindset, and I done play against D-Hop a numerous amount of times,” Cook said about Hopkins. “When I been with D-Hop, we done chill together, we done been around each other like, and it’s like I kind of see the person that he is like, he want to win and that’s what my mind at to.”

Whether or not the Patriots could provide the setting for Cook and Hopkins to win it all remains to be seen. New England hasn’t won a playoff game since the departure of quarterback Tom Brady in 2020.

However, the Patriots still have head coach Bill Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl champion, at the helm. Hopkins notably spent significant time talking with Belichick during the free agent visit last week.

Both DeAndre Hopkins and Dalvin Cook Still Have It

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones could get a huge boost in the passing game with Hopkins despite relatively down seasons in recent years. Hopkins only caught 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns in nine games last year before the Arizona Cardinals released him amid his $54.5 million contract.

“Everybody knows who D-Hop is,” Cook told Schefter. “You know what you’re getting out of D-Hop, and you know what he going to bring to your roster. It’s the same for me. Like you know — the film speaks for itself — I don’t really got to do too much like, you know, talking about who Dalvin Cook and DeAndre Hopkins is.”

Cook still has it, too, despite the Minnesota Vikings‘ release to save salary cap space amid his $63 million deal. Last season, Cook rushed for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns plus 39 receptions for 295 yards and two scores.

Waiting Games Continue for Dalvin Cook, DeAndre Hopkins

While Cook and Hopkins could create a force on offense anywhere, plans to join forces haven’t crystalized — albeit publicly. Both remain unsigned, and they both could keep waiting for the right deals after training camp starts and teams’ needs shift.

“But we haven’t talked,” Cook told Schefter. “And he was one of those guys that I was going to reach out to, because, like, I know he got the same mindset as me, like we trying to go win. We’re trying to go on the roster and trying to go contend.”

If the Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Day 1 of mandatory minicamp that Stefon Diggs‘ absence from practice was excused instead of claiming to be “very concerned,” the team could’ve avoided the public drama that ensued.

Without knowing why Diggs needed “a break and some space” as McDermott later explained, outsiders can only speculate about what happened. While the Boston Globe‘s Ben Volin reported on Sunday, June 18 that three-time Pro Bowler’s frustration stemmed from “his role in the offense and his voice in play-calling, per a league source close to the Bills’ locker room,” that doesn’t explain how or why things went haywire at minicamp.

On Monday, June 19, Diggs shared a message on Twitter that appeared to respond to the swirling speculation over his rift with the franchise. “Lol now yaw just saying anything,” he tweeted  before adding later that evening, “They can’t break me.”

Diggs has openly discussed his frustration with how the team’s offense played in the back half of the season and his sideline blow-up at quarterback Josh Allen during their playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals was seen live on national TV. So, the issues Volin mentioned were not exactly secret.

NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday, June 20 that “most” of the speculation regarding the Diggs’ situation is “wrong” and at the end of the day, the receiver’s main concern is making sure the Bills are in the best possible position to win. “I also have no doubt this will be something that will be behind us when it’s time to get ready for the season,” Rapoport concluded.

Analysts Slammed ‘Nonsense’ Report Claiming Stefon Diggs’ Frustration Is Linked to Buffalo Not Signing DeAndre Hopkins

GettyBills star Stefon Diggs’ (L) and former Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ (R).

Earlier on Tuesday, Craig Carton of FS1’s “The Carton Show” said Diggs’ frustration with the team stemmed from the Bills asking him to restructure his contract in March, which cleared up nearly $5.4 million in cap space. Carton boldly claimed the 29-year-old receiver only agreed to do so if they used that money to go sign DeAndre Hopkins.

This report faced immediate backlash from several analysts. BuffaloDown’s Brandon Croce tweeted, “This makes no sense. Players wouldn’t have to agree to restructured deals unless void years were added which didn’t happen here. It doesn’t change their compensation,” while 13WHAM‘s sports director Mike Catalina wrote, “The only part of this that isn’t total nonsense is that Diggs is upset about something. The rest of it is just loud guy at the end of the bar stuff.”

News 4 Buffalo‘s Nic Veronica tweeted, “C’mon, it’s not like Stefon Diggs took a pay cut to make this happen and then it didn’t happen. His restructure meant he got paid his money SOONER in a way that helps the team with accounting in the short term. Maybe he wants them to get DHop but not like he sacrificed $ for it.”

The Bills Need to Find a Way to Make Peace With Stefon Diggs

The $96 million extension Diggs signed with Buffalo last year makes an immediate trade or release nearly impossible, so the Bills and their No. 1 wide receiver need to find a way to make peace. With 108 receptions for 1,429 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns in 16 games last season, a motivated Diggs is vital for Buffalo’s continued to success.

Diggs’ relationship with Allen appears to be fine, which is a great sign. Hopefully, when the Maryland alum addresses the media at training camp, Diggs expresses that everything is “resolved,” as McDermott claimed. Allen told reporters last week, “Stef, he’s my guy. I f****** love him… This does not work, what we’re doing here, without him.”

Much like the “13 seconds” debacle from two years ago, what caused of this dilemma to blow up may never become public information, which is fine if Diggs and the team get on the same page and move on. Yahoo! Sports Charles McDonald surmised on Tuesday, “The Bills and Diggs need to squash this and makeup because they’re going to need each other if they want to achieve their shared vision of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after the season.”

The New England Patriots would be a fit for not one, but two big-name playmakers this offseason.

New England would make sense as a destination for former Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott amid the Patriots’ pursuit of DeAndre Hopkins, according to CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin. The Patriots notably released running back James Robinson on June 12 because of his injury issues.

“New England has young Rhamondre Stevenson as a potential offensive focal point, but after cutting the injury-riddled James Robinson before he could even make his Patriots debut, they could use proven insurance,” Benjamin wrote on June 19. “Elliott may be past his full-time days, but as a pass blocker and short-term rotational piece, he’d fit right into a typically crowded Bill Belichick backfield.”

Elliott, who got released by the Dallas Cowboys in March, hasn’t found a team yet despite his prior success in the league. The two-time NFL rushing champion and 2016 MVP candidate has 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns in seven seasons. He was a Pro Bowler in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

Despite a career low of 3.8 yards per carry last season, Elliott still produced 876 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. He would add depth to the Patriots backfield and help alleviate the loss of Damien Harris to the Buffalo Bills.

However, the Patriots have a crowd in the backfield, Benjamin wrote. Ty Montgomery will play running back again, and younger backs Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris could take a step forward.

In addition, Elliott wouldn’t come cheap to New England. He had a six-year, $90 million deal with the Cowboys before his release. While Elliott will likely have to acquiesce to a significantly smaller contract to play in 2023, the Patriots have only $14.95 million of salary cap space.

Elliott might have to play for the league minimum if he doesn’t re-sign with Dallas, according to The Athletic’s Bob Sturm in February.

“I believe he has one option for employment above the league minimum and it is … in Dallas,” Sturm wrote. “I could be wrong, but if I am, it is a very low number. Maybe one year for $2 million or $2.5 million which is a far cry from what he is used to.”

DeAndre Hopkins a Possible Obstacle to Signing Ezekiel Elliott

Some of the Patriots’ remaining cap space could go toward Hopkins if he signs with the team. The Patriots are “hopeful” of a Hopkins signing, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

“The Patriots feel that they’re in a pretty good spot; that they had a really productive visit with Hopkins on Thursday,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on the June 18 episode of “SportsCenter,” according to Bleacher Report’s transcription. “He showed up early in the morning and was there late into the afternoon, spent part of the night in New England there. Spent significant time in the building with Bill Belichick.”

“I’m told there is significant mutual respect between Hopkins, the player, and the Hall of Fame coach in Belichick,” Fowler added. “So, they’re hopeful, certainly. He knows the interest is high and Hopkins gave the impression he’s certainly intrigued, interested in playing with New England. But he also does with the Titans and is not in a major rush to sign anywhere, could wait until closer to training camp, if need be, depending on the right deal.”

Offensive Tackle Remains Patriots’ Biggest Concern

Even if the Patriots land Hopkins and could offer the right amount for Elliott, neither resolve the most glaring hole on the roster. That’s offensive tackle.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer discussed that issue with NBC Sports Boston recently amid tackle Trent Brown‘s lack of readiness at minicamp last week. In addition, the Patriots’ depth at tackle looks questionable as Breer noted.

“This position. The tackle position has taken down good teams over the last few years,” Breer said.

While it seems the Buffalo Bills could’ve avoided the mandatory minicamp drama with Stefon Diggs from turning into a media circus if head coach Sean McDermott simply announced on Day 1 that the wide receiver’s absence from practice was excused, that’s not how things unfolded.

It’s impossible to cast blame without knowing what led to Diggs needing “a break and some space” as McDermott explained, but amid the drama, The Buffalo News Jay Skurski suggested that Bills general manager Brandon Beane may re-think his stance on free agent DeAndre Hopkins, who’s dropped several hints he’d love to play in Orchard Park.

“There have been some reports that Hopkins is seeking to get paid. If so, more power to him,” Skurski wrote. “The window for players to earn money is small, and as teams are quick to show, it’s always business, never personal. Given the Bills’ salary cap situation, it’s very likely that if Hopkins is seeking to get paid, he’ll likely find more money somewhere else.”

“It has felt all offseason like ‘Hopkins to the Bills’ has been more fan driven than anything else,” although Albert Breer reported the Bills had “substantive trade talks” with the five-time Pro Bowler before his release from the Arizona Cardinals, “I’ll admit that the drama with Diggs this week did leave me thinking about the possibility of Beane taking another look at Hopkins.”

If the rift between Diggs and the franchise somehow pushes Buffalo to move money around to sign Hopkins, it would be an overall win. Adding Hopkins doesn’t mean Diggs is on the way out, as the $96 million contract extension he signed with Buffalo last year makes an immediate trade or release nearly impossible.

Not only do Diggs and Hopkins get along off the field, but they’d also provide quarterback Josh Allen with one of the scariest wide receiver duos in the league. As Allen told reporters on June 13, “Winning solves all problems.” While it could make a major dent the number of targets Diggs receives, he told Heavy Sports last year that he would “100%” support the Bills adding OBJ because it would make the team better. The same sentiment likely stands for Hopkins.

Bills edge rusher Von Miller and veteran Shaq Lawson publicly campaigned to bring the receiver to Buffalo, while Pro Bowler Dion Dawkins tweeted on May 26, “@DeAndreHopkins there is a spot right next to me in the locker room #YouAlreadyShnow see u soon 😊.”

DeAndre Hopkins Is ‘Not In Any Major Rush to Sign Anywhere’

While Hopkins had productive free agent visits with both the New England Patriots and the Tennessee Titans since his release last month, the door is still open for other teams to pounce. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said Sunday on SportsCenter that the veteran receiver “is not in any major rush to sign anywhere” and “could wait until close to training camp, if need be, depending on the right deal,” per Bleacher Report‘s Tyler Conway.

Conway noted that while Hopkins would love to work with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, his wish to play alongside a “superstar quarterback” may push him elsewhere.

“Assuming Hopkins will want a one-year deal to improve his standing around the league, it’s fair to wonder if playing that season catching balls from [Patriots quarterback Mac] Jones is the right move. If Hopkins is willing to take a short-term pay cut, the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs have superstar quarterbacks and could throw him near the top of their depth chart instantly,” he wrote on Sunday.

Brandon Beane Discussed the Possibility of Adding DeAndre Hopkins

When asked about the possibility of signing Hopkins in March, Beane poured cold water on the rumored reports. Beane said he couldn’t go deeper into the topic since Hopkins “is on another team” — an understandable approach to avoid a possible tampering penalty.

However, Beane appeared much more comfortable discussing the possibility of adding Hopkins following his official release. During a June 5 appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Beane was asked about the receiver’s expected high price tag.

“It would definitely have to fit with how we would restructure the salary and all that, so never ruling it out,” Beane said. “I know he’s a good player and he’ll likely demand a decent contract.”

“We’re all about people that want to come to Buffalo, especially if they fit, obviously DeAndre is a heck of a talent.”

The Detroit Lions could have a major offensive liability in the early stretch of the season, and one insider suggests they take out a high-profile insurance policy in the form of All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

The Lions have high hopes for the wide-receiving duo of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, but the two won’t be on the field together until at least Week 7 as Williams serves out his six-game suspension. The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy believes that could leave the Lions vulnerable in the opening stretch of the season.

“We already know Jameson Williams will miss the first six games of the season, leaving the team without its main vertical threat,” Pouncy wrote. “But if Amon-Ra St. Brown goes down — especially during that six-game window — the Lions might have to get creative elsewhere.”

Detroit Lions Could Get in on DeAndre Hopkins Sweepstakes

That creativity, Pouncy suggested, could come in signing the now free-agent Hopkins.

“Josh Reynolds, Marvin Jones Jr. and Kalif Raymond are solid secondary options, but St. Brown is the only established difference-maker,” Pouncy wrote. “We saw what happened when he missed time a year ago. Part of me wonders if the Lions should pursue DeAndre Hopkins, for the right price, as added insurance.”

Without Hopkins, an early injury or other setback to the wide receiving corps could force the Lions to rely more heavily on other parts of their offense, Pouncy noted. The team did invest heavily in the run game, using a first-round draft pick on running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Gibbs told reporters this week that he hopes to make a difference as both a rusher and pass-catcher.

“I love how they use me,” Gibbs said at the conclusion of Detroit’s minicamp. “It’s something I’m used to – through high school, at Tech and at Bama. I’m pretty used to being used all around – learning all the routes and concepts.”

DeAndre Hopkins Getting Big Interest

Though the Arizona Cardinals were unable to find a trade partner for Hopkins, the wide receiver has gotten significant interest now that he is on the open market. He has taken visits to the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots, though may not be in a rush to make a decision. ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that both Hopkins and the Patriots plan to take some time to assess their next steps after the conclusion of his visit.

Reiss noted that Hopkins is earning some strong interest from the Patriots, including some public praise and a bit of recruiting from quarterback Mac Jones.

“I think DeAndre is a great player. You watch his film from college all the way through the NFL, he’s done a great job,” Jones said. “So obviously we’d love to have him, but we do have a great group of guys,” Jones said at the start of the team’s mandatory minicamp this week.

“I’ve been really pleased with the playmakers we have on the team; we’ve come out here and really bought into the system. We have a good group and I feel like we need to keep growing together and whoever is in that room, we’re going to try to dominate together.”

Whether or not the New England Patriots sign star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will “come down to” one thing.

“What I’ve continued to hear from different people down there is that this is really gonna come down to Bill [Belichick],” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said on the “Toucher & Rich” podcast on Friday, June 16. “And it’s sort of self-explanatory with everything here for the last 23 years.”

Hopkins visited the Patriots on Wednesday and Thursday but left without a signed contract. It marked his second free agency visit after a prior visit with the Tennessee Titans, which all came two weeks after his May 26 release from the Arizona Cardinals.

Belichick, the Patriots’ longtime head coach and general manager has been long-known to not spend big — even on Pro Bowl-caliber talent. Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss only made north of $10 million once in his three full seasons with the Patriots in the 2000s.

Hopkins isn’t Moss, but Hopkins can produce at a high level amid 11,298 receiving yards and 76 touchdowns in his career. Whether or not Hopkins can land his Spotrac projected value of $23.2 million remains the question for the Patriots or any team.

“But I think one thing that came across is this is going to have to be on Bill’s terms,” Breer said. “And I think the fact that Bill and Hopkins spent one-on-one time [Thursday] at the end of the visit, tells me that those terms have been discussed.”

“And are Bill’s terms now getting closer to what Hopkins’ terms for going to a team would be? That to me is the question,” Breer added. “Because I still think money is a factor. If money was less of a factor, I think he’d be a Buffalo Bill or a Kansas City Chief now.”

The Chiefs won the Super Bowl in two of the past four seasons, and the Bills have been contenders in recent years.

Money vs. a Super Bowl Ring Question Lingers for DeAndre Hopkins

Hopkins notably teased interest in both the Chiefs and Bills over the Patriots in a video earlier this offseason.

Instead, Hopkins visited the Titans and Patriots — both teams that missed the playoffs in the 2022 season. However, Breer noted that Hopkins could choose the Chiefs closer to the season.

In addition, Hopkins was in contact with the Titans amid the Patriots visit according to Breer. The Titans notably offered Hopkins a contract before leaving Nashville, but he continued his search instead.

DeAndre Hopkins Still Not Part of the Patriots ‘Familia’

Hopkins teased his interest in the Patriots during the visit with an Instagram photo that featured himself and New England linebacker Matthew Judon. While five-time Pro Bowler used the phrase “La familia” on the photo, Judon indicated that Hopkins hasn’t joined the family yet.

“He still has that decision to make to where he wants to play,” Judon told J.P.  Smollins of WPRI on Thursday. “But he’s a very talented football player. Everything that he’s done in his career can’t be taken away from him. So, if he wants to join the team, we’ll love to have him. But if not, we’ve played him before — so we know how to guard him as well.”

DeAndre Hopkins could not keep off of social media during his free agency visit with the New England Patriots on Thursday, June 15.

The star free wide receiver posted an Instagram story that showed him standing with Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon in the team locker room. Hopkins wrote ‘La familia’ for the post.

Judon notably tried to recruit Hopkins before, and the two bantered once on social media before the visit. Despite the online exchanges, Judon downplayed it all in person at minicamp this week.

“You’ve seen all you gonna get,” Judon told reporters on Tuesday, June 13. “I don’t run my Twitter, so I don’t know who be tweeting most of the time. So, that’s what I got for y’all.”

Hopkins made the Patriots his second free agency visit since the Arizona Cardinals released the five-time Pro Bowler on May 26. He first visited the Tennessee Titans earlier this week.

DeAndre Hopkins, Patriots Have ‘Productive Visit’

The Athletic’s Jeff Howe described Hopkins’ visit as “productive” though it did not result in a deal. Tennessee notably offered Hopkins a contract according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, but Hopkins continued his search.

“WR DeAndre Hopkins and the Patriots have had a productive visit, according to a source,” Howe wrote via Twitter. “No deal at the moment, but there’s still a level of optimism the two sides could reach an agreement.”

The Patriots are making a push for Hopkins, per source. He has departed Gillette Stadium but is still local,” Howe added.

Howe isn’t alone on the positivity between Hopkins and the Patriots. MassLive’s Mark Daniels reported that “that visit between the two parties has been positive on both sides” via a league source.

Patriots’ Waiting Game With DeAndre Hopkins Kicks Off

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport called it “interesting” how long Hopkins’ visit with the Patriots lasted. However, Rapoport noted that “it makes sense to wait” for the right deal on Hopkins’ end.

In addition, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Hopkins is in no hurry, which ESPN Patriots insider Mike Reiss wrote about. Reiss also confirmed, via a source, that “both sides are now expected to take some time to assess their next steps” going forward.

Hopkins also “has considered waiting until closer to training camp in late July to make a move”, Reiss wrote, based on Fowler’s report. Rapoport previously noted that “even early into training camp” makes sense because of teams’ changing needs.

“It makes sense if you’re a veteran player who maybe doesn’t necessarily need to go to training camp like the rest of us do,” Rapoport added. “Waiting makes sense. So, I think for DeAndre Hopkins, get all the information you possibly can today and tomorrow, and maybe sit back a little bit and consider your options.”

Hopkins’ visit with the Patriots began “early in the morning and well into the afternoon”, Reiss wrote based on Fowler’s report. Hopkins notably “appeared intrigued” about playing for the Patriots and six-time Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Belichick, Reiss also wrote regarding Fowler’s report.

If the New England Patriots miss on DeAndre Hopkins, the team could roll with a mile-high “Plan B” with a trade.

Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton proposed that the Patriots trade for Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton in exchange for a second-round draft pick. Sutton, a 2019 Pro Bowler, has been a consistent performer throughout his career.

“If the Patriots strike out with Hopkins, who’s a big-bodied 6-foot-1, 211-pounder, they can turn their focus to Sutton, who’s also a big pass-catching target at 6-foot-4, 216 pounds,” Moton wrote.

“New England may be aggressive in search of a veteran wideout,” Moton added. “In the AFC East, the Patriots need to keep pace with two rivals that made the playoffs last season and the Aaron Rodgers-led New York Jets.”

Hopkins began his visit with the Patriots on Thursday, June 15, amid his free agency tour. While The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reported “optimism” surrounding a potential deal between Hopkins and the Patriots, Moton noted that Hopkins has time on his side to make a decision.

In addition, the Patriots don’t have time on their side amid JuJu Smith-Schuster‘s knee injury as Moton also noted. Smith-Schuster has been dealing with the injury from last season, and he could be behind the eight ball on learning the offense, according to NFL Network’s Mike Giardi.

Denver’s Plans Doesn’t Negate a Patriots Trade

Sutton could step in if the Patriots can lure him away from Denver, which “set a steep price for their two top receivers” as Moton put it. Jerry Jeudy has a four-year, $15 million deal and Sutton has a four-year, $60.8 million deal — both of which sparked speculation of possible moves this offseason.

Mike Klis of 9News reported in March that the Broncos wanted a second-round pick for Sutton or a first-round pick for Jeudy. Moton noted that report “seems to match” ESPN reporter Dan Graziano’s report in April about “high prices” for the receivers.

“Teams are watching to see whether Denver drops its demands for those guys, but as of now neither seems likely to get moved,” Graziano wrote.

With that said, Broncos head coach Sean Payton previously claimed on NFL Network that “we’re not trading those two players“. However, The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider reported in May that the Broncos haven’t “completely” closed the door on a trade, and he noted that Payton normally doesn’t “have one of the highest-paid groups of receivers” in the league.

“Assuming the Broncos stand pat on the compensation for Jeudy and Sutton but remain open to offers, the latter seems like a more realistic trade option because a second-round pick isn’t much for a receiver-needy team in win-now mode,” Moton wrote.

Patriots Really in ‘Win-Now Mode’

New England in ‘win-now mode’ might not mean a seventh Lombardi Trophy, but the Patriots can ill afford a third losing season in four years.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has plenty riding on this season amid no playoff wins since 2019 when the team won its last of six Super Bowls. Owner Robert Kraft has expressed his disappointment this offseason with how the team has performed in recent years, which stoked speculation of Belichick’s future.

It’s also a make-or-break year for third-year Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. His rookie season looked impressive, but his second year didn’t.

How Belichick and Jones do in 2023 could chart the course for the Patriots in the coming years or set back the storied franchise.

As the New England Patriots host prized free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on Thursday, June 15, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport does not see the same “optimism” for a deal as mentioned in a prior report.

The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reported on June 14 that “there’s optimism the two sides can find a way to reach an agreement, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.” Rapoport sees the waiting game taking effect instead as he noted that a deal didn’t get done to no surprise amid Hopkins’ previous visit with the Tennessee Titans.

“It did sound like the Titans visit was really positive for DeAndre Hopkins. I did not expect a deal to get done around the time of his visit,” Rapoport said. “I would even be a little surprised if a deal gets done with the Patriots, whose visit is today and tomorrow, because if you’re DeAndre Hopkins, similar to what we’ve talked about with [free agent running back] Dalvin Cook, waiting makes sense.”

Hopkins got released by the Arizona Cardinals on May 26 amid his $54.5 million contract with the team. He can still play at a high level despite just 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games last season, but teams might not want to pay his asking price at the moment — a projected $23.2 million annually by Spotrac.

“You have no idea what is going to happen over the next month. Or maybe even early into training camp,” Rapoport said. “There are always, unfortunately, injuries. There are needs created. There are teams who take a look at the rookies and go, ‘OK, this guy, I thought he was going to contribute, [but] maybe he’s not ready to contribute just yet.’ Maybe a need arises.”

“It makes sense if you’re a veteran player who maybe doesn’t necessarily need to go to training camp like the rest of us do,” Rapoport added. “Waiting makes sense. So, I think for DeAndre Hopkins, get all the information you possibly can today and tomorrow, and maybe sit back a little bit and consider your options.”

DeAndre Hopkins Linked to Patriots Throughout Offseason

Hopkins had been linked to the Patriots and trade rumors throughout the offseason. He acknowledged the rumors during the “I AM Athlete” podcast, where he also listed traits of a potential team — some of which matched New England.

In addition, Hopkins teased the Patriots with an Instagram video that he took down shortly after. He also joked around on Instagram with linebacker Matthew Judon regarding another nod to the Patriots in another post by the star receiver.

Bill Belichick Mum on DeAndre Hopkins Visit

Previously, Hopkins and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick had a friendly exchange caught on camera amid a December 2022 game. Belichick said little about the Hopkins visit this week, however.

“We’re working through it, so I don’t really have anything to add to that,” Belichick told reporters on Monday, June 12. “I think it relates more to logistics and things like that. So, I’m not really a travel agent here. I’m not going to say it’s going to happen here, or not going to happen or whatever.”

“There’s a lot of other stuff going on that I’m not directly involved in, and so I’m not going to say anything and then you turn around and say I misled you in some way because that’s not what I’m going to do,” Belichick added.

The coach concluded with “I’m not going to talk about players that aren’t on the team”.

DeAndre Hopkins joining the New England Patriots this offseason has appeared far-fetched because of the presence of Bill O’Brien. The latter traded Hopkins from the Houston Texans to the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, but a positive report indicates there’s “no animosity at all” between O’Brien and the player set to visit the Patriots.

Hopkins’ serene relationship with his former head coach was reported by ESPN’s Dianna Russini, who also provided details about the wide receiver’s upcoming schedule in New England.

It’s a positive update for the Patriots, who need Hopkins to add an infusion of elite talent to a suspect receiver corps. Head coach Bill Belichick added Juju Smith-Schuster in free agency, but five-time Pro-Bowler Hopkins would immediately become the de factor No. 1 target for under-pressure quarterback Mac Jones in returning offensive coordinator O’Brien’s schemes.

Bill O’Brien’s Presence Could Help Patriots Win DeAndre Hopkins Race

Hopkins was officially released by the Cardinals on Friday, May 26, immediately sparking a race to secure his signature in free agency. The 31-year-old’s tour of the veteran market has already taken in a visit with the Tennessee Titans, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

If the Patriots are going to outdo the Titans, O’Brien will be key to upsetting his former AFC South rivals. Their past dealings weren’t always amicable, but a former Texans’ assistant thinks a Hopkins and O’Brien reunion would work.

John Perry spent three seasons as Hopkins’ position coach from 2017-19, and he told MassLive.com’s Mark Daniels how “adult relationships are always complicated no matter what you do. But the thing is when you look at DeAndre Hopkins and his relationship with Coach O’Brien, both of them brought out the best in each other.”

O’Brien and Hopkins bringing out the best in one another is the key point. D-Hop logged five of his six 1,000-yard seasons on O’Brien’s watch in Houston.

Those seasons included three campaigns when Hopkins topped the 100-catch mark. He was the alpha weapon for O’Brien, who moved the dynamic pass-catcher all over the field to create favorable matchups in coverage.

A great example came against the Buffalo Bills during the Wild Card Playoffs following the 2019 season. Moving Hopkins into the slot helped him avoid All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White and created mismatches for the Texans’ best receiver to exploit, per Next Gen Stats.

Varying Hopkins’ alignment wasn’t something the Cardinals did often enough, with Week 7’s game against the New Orleans Saints last season a rare exception.

Keeping Hopkins on the move helps him be more effective, and O’Brien knows how to make it happen. The 53-year-old’s creativity has already impressed several incumbent members of the Patriots’ offense.

Jones has applauded O’Brien giving him more responsibility to direct a flexible system, per Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston: “It’s all about your toolbox. That’s what’s so great about the system. You use it as a quarterback. The most is put on you, but that’s a good thing because you have tools to fix it.”

Hopkins knows all about how the O’Brien system can boost a player’s numbers. If time has healed some old wounds, O’Brien can help the Patriots win a race Jones and Belichick absolutely need them to win.

Stakes High for Patriots in DeAndre Hopkins Sweepstakes

Entering the season with the current contingent of wide receivers would increase the pressure on Jones and Belichick. Both need to prove they can breathe new life into an offense that’s become stale in recent seasons.

Jones needs better weapons to help him improve 2022’s modest 65.2 completion percentage and 84.8 rating, per Pro Football Reference. Unfortunately for Jones, holes are already appearing in his revamped supporting cast.

Smith-Schuster has missed valuable offseason practices with injury, while second-year man Tyquan Thornton is dealing with a “soft-tissue” problem, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Jones needs all of his key targets on the field and getting up to speed with the O’Brien playbook. Hopkins wouldn’t have to travel so steep a learning curve, but he’d need to quickly forge a rapport with a signal-caller struggling to prove he’s starter material.

Belichick has bet on Jones, and it’s quite the risk for a coach who has struggled to win since Tom Brady left town in 2020. The Pats have missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons, with lacklustre offense to blame.

Those struggles must disappear if Belichick’s team is going to be a factor in an ultra-competitive AFC East, where Aaron Rodgers makes the New York Jets contenders, while the high-powered Miami Dolphins remain a major threat.

Signing Hopkins and having him renew what was once a prolific partnership with O’Brien would instantly make the Patriots viable in the division again.

DeAndre Hopkins has started making his rounds as he weighs where he’ll sign next but he’s not expected to be visiting with the Cleveland Browns any time soon.

The Browns were once the betting favorite to land Hopkins but it seems like the idea of signing the former All-Pro pass-catcher is firmly on the back burner, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com

“They do not plan to bring him in,” Cabot said during an appearance on Sports4CLE on Tuesday. “As we know, he was with the Titans [Monday] and is visiting the Patriots. And then he might schedule more visits after that. The only way he would end up here is if the Browns end up with a significant injury and if D-Hop waits and his market isn’t what he wanted it to be. If he figured, you know what, let me let me wait and let somebody go down in training camp, or a preseason game and let somebody need me enough to give me the money that I feel I deserve.”

The idea of signing Hopkins was always seen as a luxury, not a necessity for the Browns, who have already done work this offseason to improve their wide receiver depth. They’ve added Elijah Moore, Marquise Goodwin and rookie Cedric Tillman to a receiver corps that already included Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson Made Pitch to DeAndre Hopkins

The idea of reuniting Hopkins and quarterback Deshaun Watson was an intriguing one and the Browns quarterback made a public pitch to his former teammate shortly after he was released by the Arizona Cardinals.

“He’s always been a brother of mine since I was coming out of high school. Our connection, our relationship has always been great,” Watson said on May 31. “And I know there’s a lot of things swirling around in the media about him possibly coming to Cleveland. For me, my answer to that is, of course we’d love to have him.”

Watson was asked for an update on the situation during mandatory minicamp and had nothing to report, referring the question to general manager Andrew Berry.

Cabot: DeAndre Hopkins Wants to Situation to be Right

Shortly before becoming a free agent, Hopkins listed the things he wanted out of his next team. It included a steady front office, a quarterback with the ability to rally the troops and a great defense. The Browns check those boxes, although they would likely not be the team to tender him the most lucrative offer.

“He’s obviously getting up there. So this is not a situation where he’s a 26-year-old receiver out there getting free agency for the first time,” Cabot said of the 31-year-old Hopkins. “So you know, he’s got to grab the brass ring while he still can. And he wants the situation to be right. He really does. Want to have an opportunity to challenge for the Super Bowl and do all those kinds of things.”

Hopkins is a three-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler. However, he’s played in just 19 games over the last two seasons due to injury and a PED suspension. He notched 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns in nine games last season with the Cardinals.

New England Patriots defensive lineman Lawrence Guy did not show up for mandatory minicamp this week, and head coach Bill Belichick said little about it.

“You’d have to talk to him about that,” Belichick told reporters on Tuesday, June 13. “Whatever the issue is, you can talk to him about that. I’m not gonna talk about contracts, personal situations or injuries.”

Guy has a four-year, $11.5 million deal with the Patriots, and two years remains on that contract. He will make $2 million this season plus bonuses and incentives.

ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that Guy “is believed to be looking for an adjustment to the contract” amid a change in agents. Reiss added that sources called it “a challenging negotiation”.

Belichick also remained mum regarding offensive lineman Trent Brown, who missed the first day of mandatory minicamp but returned on Tuesday. Brown’s absence stemmed from his flight from Texas getting canceled because of a hail storm according to MassLive’s Nick O’Malley.

“I mean I don’t have a monitor,” Belichick said about Brown’s return. “I would assume so.”

Belichick said he “wouldn’t be able to comment on” Brown’s absence. Brown started 16 games for the Patriots last season.

DeAndre Hopkins Visit Meets Witty Response from Bill Belichick

With prized free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins set to visit this week, Belichick faced questions on the visit when minicamp opened on Monday.

“We’re working through it, so I don’t really have anything to add to that,” Belichick told reporters. “I think it relates more to logistics and things like that. So, I’m not really a travel agent here. I’m not going to say it’s going to happen here, or not going to happen or whatever.”

“There’s a lot of other stuff going on that I’m not directly involved in, and so I’m not going to say anything and then you turn around and say I misled you in some way because that’s not what I’m going to do,” Belichick added.

The coach concluded with “I’m not going to talk about players that aren’t on the team”.

Hopkins recently visited the Tennessee Titans. The Arizona Cardinals released Hopkins on May 26 amid his massive contract of two years, $54.5 million with the team.

Bill Belichick Effusive About Jabrill Peppers

While Patriots defensive back Jabrill Peppers didn’t impress in 2022 amid his comeback from an ACL tear, Belichick sees better things coming.

“He is a much different player now than he was last year at this time or even in training camp,” Belichick told reporters on Tuesday.

Peppers only tallied 60 tackles and a fumble recovery in 17 games played amid five starts. The Patriots re-signed him in March despite the down year.

“Full year after the injury, a lot of confidence in the communication and the system, his assignments,” Belichick added. “He’s playing fast, aggressive, helping out teammates more. Last year he was trying to learn things. Now, he’s helping out his teammates. Anticipation, making calls or adjustments that will maybe help him or possibly help his teammate be in a better position to defend a certain play or type of play. He’s been great. Way, way ahead of where he was last year.”

Free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins talked up his game following reports of his upcoming visit with the New England Patriots.

While not in direct relation to New England specifically, Hopkins wanted everyone to know that he can still play at a high level. Hopkins, 31, hasn’t made a Pro Bowl since 2020, and he hasn’t reached 100 receptions or 1,000 yards since that year.

“Shhhh. I’m old and can’t get open,” Hopkins wrote in a retweet of points made by fantasy football expert Sal Vetri.

Last season Hopkins “ranked second at beating man coverage”, and he “earned 10.7 targets per game”, Vetri wrote. He also “was eighth best at earning targets per route run”, Vetri added.

“This shows he had no drop off in his ability to get open,” Vetri concluded.

The Arizona Cardinals released Hopkins last week amid his two-year, $54.5 million contract. Hopkins first has a free agent visit with the Tennessee Titans this weekend, but he will visit the Patriots next week according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

New England could use a big playmaker in Hopkins after a disappointing offensive performance in 2022. The Patriots averaged 21.4 points per game with quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe splitting time.

Top target Jakobi Meyers left the Patriots after the season for the Las Vegas Raiders. JuJu Smith-Schuster signed with the Patriots, but the receiver talent drops after the one-time Pro Bowler.

Hopkins still produced Pro Bowl-caliber play on the field in the past two seasons. He caught 106 passes for 1,289 yards and 11 touchdowns in 19 games over the last two years.

DeAndre Hopkins’ Asking Price in Question

Whether or not the Patriots can afford Hopkins remains the biggest question. Hopkins wants to make similar money to Odell Beckham Jr. according to a pair of anonymous NFL executives via The Athletic’s Tim Graham.

Beckham landed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Hopkins projects at $23.2 million annually, based on Spotrac’s numbers. However, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer noted that Hopkins likely won’t even find a deal that equals Beckham’s.

New England at least won’t need to worry about any past history between Hopkins and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien as an obstacle. O’Brien coached Hopkins with the Houston Texans from 2014 to 2019 before a trade that sent Hopkins to Arizona.

O’Brien “would be pretty on board” with Hopkins coming to New England, according to Breer. While Hopkins hasn’t commented recently on the 2020 trade, Hopkins at least teased interest in the Patriots multiple times since O’Brien’s return.

Patriots-DeAndre Hopkins Interest Simmering

Hopkins acknowledged the persistent Patriots trade rumors during the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast recently. He also shared an Instagram video that showed Patriots highlights before he took it down.

Then, he played around with Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon‘s comments on another Instagram video. Judon pointed about the Patriots logo “in the background” on the video, and Hopkins reacted with laughing emojis.

While Judon played around with Hopkins’ interest on social media, Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne took a more conservative approach on Friday. Bourne fielded a question about Hopkins’ visit after organized team activities.

“I’m a fan of D-Hop. It would be cool,” Bourne told reporters via Patriots.com. “I don’t know the gist of what’s going on, but he is a great player. Anything that would help us win, I’m with.”

DeAndre Hopkins has not decided on his next destination, but another team instead of the New England Patriots will see him this weekend.

Hopkins will visit the Tennessee Titans on June 11 according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The Arizona Cardinals released Hopkins in May despite a stellar career, and he will make his first free agent visit in Nashville.

“There’s some familiarity here,” Pelissero said.

Former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel, the Titans head coach, worked with Hopkins when they were with the Houston Texans. Hopkins played for the Texans from 2013 to 2019, and Vrabel served as an assistant coach there from 2014 to 2017. Vrabel confirmed the news on  Wednesday.

“They are not the only team,” Pelissero said about Hopkins’ interests.

Pelissero didn’t name any teams “in talks” with Hopkins but noted this first visit “shows there is some mutual interest” with the Titans. The Patriots are looking at Hopkins according to a league source via MassLive, and rumors of Hopkins joining the Patriots have persisted throughout the offseason.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Hopkins notably showed mutual interest or respect amid an exchange at a December 2022 regular season game. Hopkins also acknowledged rumors of the Patriots’ interest during the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast.

In addition, Hopkins teased the Patriots with an Instagram video this month but took down right away. Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon teased Hopkins amid another IG video by the star receiver.

“Y’all seen the Pats logo in the background,” Judon wrote in reaction.

Hopkins actually reacted to Judon’s comment with two laughing emojis. Not all banter has worked in the Patriots favor because Hopkins appeared in a video where he showed more enthusiasm over other teams instead.

DeAndre Hopkins Has a Big Asking Price

New England, as for any team, would likely have to pay Hopkins significantly. The Athletic’s Tim Graham reported, via two unnamed NFL executives, that Hopkins wants a deal comparable to Odell Beckham Jr.

Beckham, a star receiver with the Baltimore Ravens, signed a one-year deal for $15 million with $3 million in incentives. That’s after Beckham missed a season due to an ACL tear.

Spotrac notably projects Hopkins at $23.2 million annually or with a three-year, $69.6 million deal. That might not come true for Hopkins though despite greater availability but only slightly better numbers than Beckham in recent years.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer noted that he would be “pretty stunned” for Hopkins to land a deal that matches Beckham. Breer added that Beckham’s deal “has had an adverse effect on the Hopkins market”.

For the Patriots, Hopkins could come with a steep price for a player who may not fit in with the team culture. NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry reported that “several league sources” don’t see Hopkins as a fit with the Patriots, particularly in the area of practice habits.

One Patriots Hurdle for DeAndre Hopkins Looks Clear

The most public in-house hurdle looks clear for the Patriots — past work experiences with offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. Hopkins played for O’Brien with the Texans before getting traded.

Breer reported that O’Brien “would be plenty on board” with Hopkins joining the Patriots. That would give Patriots quarterback Mac Jones a valuable target to help turn around the offense in 2023.

The Cleveland Browns have been heavily linked to free agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Amari Cooper — the team’s current top pass-catcher — is fully behind it.

In some situations, a team courting a former All-Pro receiver like Hopkins could cause some ripple effects in the locker room. Especially with quarterback Deshaun Watson being so vocal in the courtship of his former top target.

“Our connection, our relationship has always been great,” Watson said at the Browns Foundation Golf outing on May 30. “And I know there’s a lot of things swirling around in the media about him possibly coming to Cleveland. For me, my answer to that is, of course we’d love to have him.

“He knows that. We have a lot of connections, but it’s kind of out my range of things of trying to coordinate things. All I can do is make a call and see what happens and let AB [G.M. Andrew Berry] do the rest.”

Cooper understands why Watson would want Hopkins in Cleveland and would welcome him into the mix.

“I didn’t see that, but who wouldn’t?” Cooper said on June 6 when asked about Watson’s comments on Hopkins. “DeAndre has been a very great player in this league. Obviously, they have a lot of great chemistry. If I was him, I’d want the same thing.”

Amari Cooper on DeAndre Hopkins: ‘He’s Pretty Unstoppable’

Cooper’s resume allows him to be a bit more comfortable with the idea of another top-flight receiver being in the mix. He’s a four-time Pro Bowler and caught 78 passes last season for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns

Hopkins is coming off a down year with the Arizona Cardinals, playing in just nine games due to a PED suspension and late-season injury. He still managed 64 catches for 717 yards but found the end zone just three times. Hopkins played just 10 games in 2021.

But in his last full season in 2020, Hopkins put up 1407 yards on 115 catches with six touchdowns. Cooper is well aware of the skill set that Hopkins brings to the table and has a large amount of respect for what he’s done.

“With DeAndre, he’s pretty unstoppable with the way he uses his hands and his body to position himself well to make the catch,” Cooper said. “So, it would be pretty good.”

Having Hopkins in the mix would cut down Cooper’s target share but it’s not something he’s worried about. Winning is the ultimate goal for Cooper — not his line in the box score.

“You add a great receiver like that, that’s probably going to happen because there’s only one ball — everybody’s got to get their touches,” Cooper said. “So, as long as it’s helping us win, I wouldn’t have a problem with it.”

Browns Satisfied With Current Group of Receivers

The Browns don’t need Hopkins but he’d be a massive addition at the right price. If he doesn’t end up coming to Cleveland, the Browns are comfortable with the new-look group they’ll run out next season.

Cleveland is especially jazzed about Elijah Moore, who they scored via a trade this offseason with the New York Jets. Moore was sent to the Browns on March 22 after an interesting two years as a member of the Jets. He had a strong rookie year, notching 43 catches for 538 yards and five touchdowns in just 11 games. However, Moore couldn’t improve upon that a year ago, catching just 37 balls for 446 yards and one touchdown.

The Browns believe a change of scenery will do Moore good and he’s been pegged as a breakout candidate by multiple outlets.

The Cleveland Browns are firmly in the mix to sign DeAndre Hopkins and might also be the most motivated team to acquire his services.

The Browns have the best odds to land Hopkins, which is due in large part to his prior connection with Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs are also in the mix but former NFLer-turned-analyst Ross Tucker thinks the Browns make the most sense for Hopkins, with the team’s “desperation” playing a role.

“The primary factor driving my belief is the main motivator for most decisions in the NFL: personal interest and job security. Browns general manager Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski are coming off back-to-back losing seasons,” Tucker wrote in an article for The 33rd Team. “The organization made a gigantic investment in terms of both draft picks and money to bring Watson to Cleveland. Simply put, they need to make it work this year.”

When it comes to Super Bowl odds, the defending champion Chiefs (+600) and Bills (+900) are near the top of the list. You’d have to scroll down some ways to find the Browns at +3,500, although Cleveland should be a contender after a strong offseason, a full year of Deshaun Watson under center and a talented core leading the way.

“He’ll get more money than he would in Kansas City or Buffalo, and the Browns are not a rebuilding team like the Texans,” Tucker said. “They have a chance if things go their way.”

Deshaun Watson Wants to Run it Back With DeAndre Hopkins

There is a mutual interest that exists between Hopkins and the Browns to get a deal done, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. The move would reunite Hopkins with Watson, who was his quarterback during his prolific seasons in Houston.

Hopkins caught 264 passes for 3,343 yards and 25 touchdowns with Watson as his quarterback with the Texans, racking up All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.

Watson shared his thoughts on a potential Hopkins signing and what the Browns could offer him.

“D-Hop, DeAndre Hopkins, would love to be in a place where the opportunity is there for us to win,” Watson said. “We check all those boxes. I think for us to know and make sure we check all those boxes on the national stage, we got to go out there and prove it, and I think D-Hop would love to be a part of that and proving people wrong.”

Browns ‘Happy’ With Current Group of Wide Receivers

Desperate might be a strong word to describe the Browns when it comes to their interest in Hopkins. The team traded for Elijah Moore, signed veteran Marquise Goodwin and drafted Cedric Tillman to be part of the future in Cleveland. The newcomers will join Amari Cooper — who the Browns traded for last offseason — and Donovan Peoples-Jones.

It’s a delicate line the Browns have to dance while courting Hopkins but head coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear he likes what he has available currently.

“I really, really like our wide receiver room,” Stefanski told reporters when asked about Hopkins. “I love the guys that are in there. [General manager Andrew Berry] and his crew are always looking at every avenue and that type of thing. So I won’t comment specifically on the player, other than to say I really like our roster.”

Over the past few months, superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has dropped several hints that he’d like to join the Buffalo Bills, and following his release from the Arizona Cardinals, interested teams can sign him without the heavy financial baggage that came with his former contract.

When asked about the possibility of signing Hopkins two months ago, Bills general manager Brandon Beane poured cold water on the rumored reports. Beane said he couldn’t go deeper into the topic since Hopkins “is on another team” — an understandable approach to avoid a possible tampering penalty.

But now that the five-time Pro Bowler is a free agent, Beane appeared much more comfortable discussing the possibility of adding Hopkins. During a June 5 appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Beane was asked about the receiver’s expected high price tag.

“It would definitely have to fit with how we would restructure the salary and all that, so never ruling it out,” Beane said. “I know he’s a good player and he’ll likely demand a decent contract.”

“So you guys are negotiating right now?’ McAfee asks. Beane responds with a laugh, “That’s as far as I’m going!”

As for Hopkins, he may have to choose between a big payday or joining a team with a real shot at the Super Bowl. Per Bleacher Report, Jeremy Fowler said on SportsCenter last month that OBJ’s one-year, $15 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens made Hopkins rethink his stance on what he’s owed.

“This issue really is money… If you’re Hopkins, you’re saying: ‘Hey, I’m more qualified, I’ve done a little more than Beckham. I can’t take less than that, take a huge pay cut to go to a contender.’ But you still have Buffalo, Kansas City, teams who could be looking for a receiver.”

Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer wrote on Monday that he’d be “stunned” if Hopkins received that kind of money, even after hiring Klutch’s Kelton Crenshaw as his agent.

“Part of Crenshaw’s job will be giving Hopkins the hard truth about his market, and that where it sits now is about more than just who he’s been as a player—his age, injury/practice history and the time of year it is are all big factors, too. Had Hopkins accepted those truths earlier, my guess is he would probably be on the Chiefs or Bills roster now.”

Brandon Beane Said ‘We’re All About People That Want to Come to Buffalo

Earlier on the show, Beane addressed Hopkins’ desire to catch passes from quarterback Josh Allen and to join a franchise “stable management upstairs.”

Beane said, “We’re all about people that want to come to Buffalo, especially if they fit, obviously DeAndre is a heck of a talent,” mentioning the epic “Hail Murray” catch he made against Buffalo a few years ago.

One person who’s likely urging Beane to get Hopkins in a Bills jersey is superstar edge rusher Von Miller, who told reporters in April, “Hop says he wants to be a Buffalo Bill. I would love to see DeAndre Hopkins be here and I would love to have his skill set on our offense with Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and Dawson Knox and Gabe Davis. How could we lose with those guys?”

Bills veteran Shaq Lawson is also pulling for the fellow Clemson alum to land with the Bills, while Pro Bowler Dion Dawkins tweeted on May 26, “@DeAndreHopkins there is a spot right next to me in the locker room #YouAlreadyShnow see u soon 😊.”

Can the Bills Afford to Sign DeAndre Hopkins?

GettyFormer Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

SB Nation‘s Matt Byham suggested the Bills could restructure the contracts of Dawkins and Tre’Davious White to create room for Hopkins, or “extend players such as defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, safety Micah Hyde, and nickel corner Taron Johnson,” but it’s not clear if Buffalo is willing to move that much money around for a receiver turning 31″ on June 6.

The Bills made the surprise move to extend defensive tackle Ed Oliver to a four-year, $68 million deal on June 4, which is expected to clear several millions of dollars of cap space for the 2023 NFL season. Before extending Oliver, the Bills had under $1.5 million in cap space, per OvertheCap.com.

However, the Bills continued to beef up their defense on Monday, signing former Los Angeles Rams standout edge rusher Leonard Floyd. The details of Floyd’s one-year contract have not yet been revealed, so it’s unclear exactly how much money the Bills have left to spend this offseason.

The Detroit Lions may not be a betting favorite in the race to sign DeAndre Hopkins after his release from the Arizona Cardinals, but one insider believes they are still the “ideal” destination for the star wide receiver.

After months of trade rumors, Hopkins hit the open market when the Cardinals chose to release him on May 26 and take the full $22.6 million cap hit in dead money this season rather than spread it out over the next two years. While a number of teams have been connected to Hopkins, The Athletic’s Randy Mueller believes the Lions could be one of the two teams most likely to sign him.

Lions Could Bring Major Help for Jared Goff

As Mueller noted, the Lions have a hole to fill at wide receiver as 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams will miss the first six games of the season for violating the league’s rules against gambling. If the Lions are looking to use some of their $23 million in available cap space to add a reliable target for quarterback Jared Goff, Hopkins could be the best bet, Mueller wrote.

“Marvin Jones and Amon-Ra St. Brown are nice players, but Hopkins would be the security blanket for Jared Goff that he lost when the team traded tight end T.J. Hockenson to Minnesota last season,” Mueller noted. “Hopkins would be a very effective weapon for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to throw in the mix.”

Mueller noted that the Lions would likely only give Hopkins a one-year deal, so it would depend on whether he is willing to forgo a longer contract.

Mueller also pegged the Miami Dolphins as another “ideal” fit for Hopkins and noted that there would be some drawbacks if the Lions signed him — especially if he is a misfit for Detroit’s team makeup and culture.

“The one drawback is this is a younger team that is looking to take the next step, and for team builders, Hopkins comes with some baggage,” Mueller wrote. “It is less about Hopkins making an impact on the field but more about the perceived less-than-ideal intangibles that have followed him since his time in Houston of not really being a ‘practice player’ and at times picking his spots.”

Lions Happy With Wide Receivers

Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the rumors connecting the team to Hopkins. While he held off on commenting about whether the team was looking into signing the All-Pro wide receiver, Campbell did give a strong endorsement to the team’s current wide receiving corps.

“I’m not going to comment on that one, but I like our receiver room,” Campbell told reporters after OTAs on . “I think we have a good mix of different types of guys. I think it’s important, really in your skilled positions, between tight ends, backs and receivers, that you have a mix of different types of skillsets, and I feel like we have that.

“I just think we have a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things. The more versatility that you have, that opens up your packages personnel wise and packages wise.”

If the Cleveland Browns manage to sign DeAndre Hopkins, it could mean the end of Donovan Peoples-Jones’ time with the team.

Peoples-Jones has been a wonderful surprise for the Browns after being selected in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was Cleveland’s second-leading receiver last season, nabbing 61 catches for 839 yards and three touchdowns. Peoples-Jones also returned a punt for a touchdown.

But if the Browns do land Hopkins, Peoples-Jones might be the odd man out, getting bumped on the depth chart and seeing a much smaller target share. On top of that, Peoples-Jones is heading into the final season of his rookie deal and there’s been speculation that the Browns will let him explore other options as a free agent.

If Hopkins comes aboard, it seems even more likely they’d attempt to trade Peoples-Jones to try and reap some assets in return before he becomes a free agent. Jason Lloyd of The Atheltic speculated about a DPJ trade in a recent conversation with Zac Jackson.

“Hopkins is still a talented player and an upgrade over Donovan Peoples-Jones, who might not be back after this season anyway,” Lloyd said. “Not to steal your headline, but you suggested to me that if they sign Hopkins, they can flip Peoples-Jones. I hadn’t thought of it that way until you said it, but it makes sense.”

Browns Can Afford to Sign DeAndre Hopkins

GettyFree agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Jackson wanted to make it clear that the Browns can afford to sign Hopkins — although there’s a chance a team is willing to swoop in and give him a lucrative deal Cleveland is unwilling to match.

“I wanted to be more clear on one thing: The Browns absolutely have the money to sign him,” Jackson said. “Ideally, the Browns want to end up with cap space they can roll over to 2024. And they don’t want to end up overpaying Hopkins if they don’t have to.”

Peoples-Jones will make $2.74 million for the 2023-24 season. It’s not a huge number but the Browns could create additional room by finding a suitor for his services, pending Hopkins’ signing.

“They’ve already pushed a ton of money forward via void years, they’re clearly all in on this year, and ultimately they have ways to create space via players they don’t need,” Jackson said. “I’m not saying they’ll trade Peoples-Jones; I’m just making sure I emphasize they have cap room and will have options to maximize what’s left.”

DeAndre Hopkins, Browns Have ‘Strong’ Mutual Interest

The Browns are the betting favorite to land Hopkins and there is “strong” mutual interest between the sides to get a deal done, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston.

Watson and Hopkins were a dynamic duo with the Houston Texans from 2017-19. Hopkins caught 264 passes for 3,343 yards and 25 touchdowns from Watson during their time together in Houston.

Watson made a public pitch to Hopkins this week while speaking to reporters at a charity golf tournament in Cleveland and explained that the two have maintained a relationship.

“Me and D-Hop, we just naturally talk,” Watson said. “We’ve been talking since the Houston days. … He’s always been a brother of mine. … Our connection, our relationship has always been great. … Of course, we would love to have him. He knows that.”

Landing Hopkins would give the Browns one of the more explosive passing attacks in the league. He’d be able to team up with Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Marquise Goodwin and Peoples-Jones — if the Browns decide to keep him around.

Both the New York Jets and New York Giants have been connected to free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins over the past few weeks, although the response from each franchise was very different.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh practically shut down the idea that Gang Green is interested in Hopkins, voicing that he and his front office “love our current group” of wideouts. On the other hand, Giants HC Brian Daboll left the door open slightly by saying they’d look into it as they always do when players become available.

Neither seemed overly enthused about Hopkins but then again, coaches and general managers often bluff the media when it comes to situations like these. Despite their public statements on the matter, WFAN’s Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti of “Boomer & Gio” had a strong message for both the Jets and Giants when it comes to a pursuit of the three-time All-Pro WR: Stay away.

‘Boomer & Gio’ Tell Jets & Giants to Steer Clear of Free Agent WR DeAndre Hopkins

The popular NYC morning radio show hosts, Esiason and Giannotti, were adamant that Hopkins is not the type of addition that the Jets and Giants should be focused on.

“I just don’t see it for either one of these two teams here in New York,” former NYJ and NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason told his partner. Although, the pair was willing to admit that Big Blue could potentially use another playmaker more than the Jets.

“It’s a bad idea,” Giannotti chimed in, comparing a Hopkins signing to the Kenny Golladay deal that blew up in the Giants’ face. “[With] all you have told me about some of the stuff and the rumblings about DeAndre Hopkins… Sort of the same way I looked at [NBA superstar] James Harden. Really, really talented, scored a bunch of points, but really when it came down to it — is that the guy that you’re going to go and win a championship with?”

“And both these teams have designs on [a championship],” Giannotti added. “Both these teams have thoughts of deep playoff runs. He’s just not the guy.”

“His reputation, it’s not great,” Esiason noted later, explaining a bit of the “rumblings” Giannotti was referring to when it comes to Hopkins. “Everybody knows that he’s a great athlete and a great player, but the work ethic and the commitment to practice and all that other stuff is really where the big question marks reside.”

Esiason concluded that maybe the lack of free agent demand so far will act as a little bit of a “wake-up call” for Hopkins.

“You being the guy now is over,” the ex-QB stated. “It’s done. You had your chance in two different places. Now, you’ll have your third chance — somebody will give you a chance, and if you get with the right quarterback, you may be able to put up some numbers — but if you’re just going for the money somewhere for some team that feels like they need another playmaker, and you’re with an inexperienced quarterback or a quarterback that feels like they’re outside the top 15, then I would think it’s just a money play, it’s not really about you being part of a winning team.”

We’ll see if either the Jets or Giants adjust their stance on Hopkins in the coming months.

Latest From DeAndre Hopkins’ Camp

After very few coaches were willing to commit to a pursuit of Hopkins publicly on May 31, the pass-catcher tweeted the following cryptically: “…🙉🙊🙈.”

For the record, that emoji tweet got over 21,000 likes — so you can’t say Hopkins isn’t popular with the fans.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also leaked a live update on “Get Up” that Hopkins is reportedly “open for business” with all 32 NFL franchise (via Bleacher Report). This is a major deviation from Hopkins’ tactics during Arizona Cardinals trade rumors, where he appeared to narrow down the speculation to a small list of Super Bowl contenders.

Hopkins has “pretty much heard from most of the league” at this point, according to Fowler, although there’s no telling what teams are willing to offer him at this time.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Anthony Schwartz is catching some heat after falling for a fake quote graphic regarding DeAndre Hopkins.

Schwartz has been tweeting consistently about the NBA playoffs and his Miami Heat but has rarely weighed in on Browns news. But the 22-year-old receiver responded to a tweet that had an alleged quote from Hopkins saying he’d like to come to Cleveland to play with Schwartz.

“That’s one guy I’ve always wanted to team up with,” the quote read.

Schwartz responded with: “Yessir Hop,” and the comments were not kind to Schwartz, who may or may not have been in on the joke.

“Stay off Twitter pal. XFL in near future,” one comment read.

Other cited that Schwartz is on thin ice with the Browns and appears to be a longshot to make the 53-man roster.

“Sorry to break it to you but you’re probably on your way out already and if they do sign Dhop then you’re 100% gone,” another commentor wrote.

Schwartz didn’t weigh in any further and kept the tweet up, which may support the theory that he’s in on the joke. Considering he has just 14 catches for 186 yards and one touchdown in his career, it’d be a wild assumption believe that he’s someone Hopkins is thinking about when making his highly-anticipated free agency decision.

Anthony Schwartz Facing Uphill Battle to Make Browns’ Roster

The Browns made some key additions to the wide receiver room this offseason, which has bumped Schwartz further back on the depth chart. At this point, the former third-round pick would need a big camp to stick around with the Browns.

Schwartz has been able to stay on the roster thanks to his blazing speed, which the Browns were hoping to harness. However, the team may have found a replacement for that ingredient in Marquise Goodwin, who has been impressive at OTAs. He’s caught some deep bombs from Deshaun Watson, showing off an already impressive chemistry with his new quarterback.

“Connection as elite today, man. Just grateful for the opportunity to shine,” Goodwin said on Thursday. “It’s electric. You see that arm? He got God’s arm for sure.”

Goodwin is as fast as they come and even at 32 he’ll be one of — if not the — fastest players on the Browns roster. He ran a 4.27 40-yard dash at the combine back in 2013 and speed is still a very big part of his game. Most recently he suited up for the Seattle Seahawks, nabbing 27 catches for 387 yards and four touchdowns last season.

“I think I’m pretty much in my prime, so I don’t think I lost any speed. It’s kind of like fine wine,” Goodwin said. “You just get better with time.”

Browns Favorite to Land DeAndre Hopkins

The Schwartz situation was very much a troll job but the Browns are in fact firmly in the running for Hopkins. NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported that there’s a “strong possibility” Hopkins could land with Cleveland and the Browns are now the betting favorite for the former All-Pro’s services, per DraftKings Sportsbook.

Earlier in the week, Watson voiced his opinion on the potential move, making a public pitch to Hopkins.

“Of course we would love to have him,” Watson told reporters this week. “He knows that. We had a lot of connections, but that’s kind of out of my range of things, of kind of coordinating things. So all I can do is make a call and see what happens and let (Browns general manager Andrew Berry) do the rest.”

Hopkins caught 264 passes for 3,343 yards and 25 touchdowns with Watson as his quarterback in Houston.

DeAndre Hopkins joining the Cleveland Browns and reuniting with Deshaun Watson is a “strong possibility,” according to a noted insider.

There have been conflicting rumors in recent days about Hopkins’ interest in joining the Browns. CBS Sports insider Josina Anderson reported on Thursday on “The Crew” that Hopkins heading to Cleveland was probably not happening.

Tom Withers of The Associated Press also chimed in, dubbing the Browns a “longshot” due to a financial fit. It’s been reported that Hopkins is seeking a contract similar to Odell Beckham Jr., who signed with the Ravens. OBJ got $15 million in guaranteed salary and up to $3 million in incentives, according to The Athletic‘s Tim Graham.

However, per well-connected Houston-based insider Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports, a reunion between Watson and Hopkins is a “strong possibility.” Wilson also noted that Hopkins returning to the Texans is unlikely.

“DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson built one of the most potent passing connections in the game during their shared tenure with the Texans, forming a chemistry and timing unmatched around the league,” Wilson wrote. “They could have a potential reunion with the Cleveland Browns with strong mutual interest existing between the All-Pro wide receiver, the former Texans quarterback and the AFC North franchise, according to league sources.”

The Browns are the betting favorite to land Hopkins, per DraftKings. Cleveland is +100 to sign Hopkins, with the Bills (+300) and Chiefs (+400) next on the list.

Deshaun Watson Made Public Pitch to DeAndre Hopkins

There’s no doubt that Watson and Hopkins would have some residual chemistry from their time in Houston together. Hopkins caught 264 passes for 3,343 yards and 25 touchdowns with Watson as his quarterback.

Prior to his release from the Arizona Cardinals, Hopkins listed a series of things he would like with his next team. It included stable management, a solid quarterback and a strong defense. Watson believes the Browns check those boxes.

“I’ll just say this, D-Hop, DeAndre Hopkins would love to be in a place where the opportunity is there for us to win,” Watson said on Tuesday while speaking to reporters at a charity golf event. “We check all those boxes and I think for us to know and make sure we check all those boxes on the national stage, we’ve got to go out there and prove it and I think D-Hop would love to be a part of that.”

Browns Have Already Added to Pass-Catching Arsenal

Landing Hopkins would give the Browns one of the more formidable passing attacks in the NFL. Amari Cooper is coming off a 1,000-yard season and is currently the top pass-catcher in Cleveland.

The Browns added to their arsenal this offseason, trading for former New York Jets standout Elijah Moore this offseason, while Donovan Peoples-Jones, Marquise Goodwin, David Bell and Cedric Tillman are also going to be in the mix. Tight ends David Njoku, Jordan Akins and Harrison Bryant are also strong options in the passing game.

Landing Hopkins would be a score for the Browns but head coach Kevin Stefanski also made it clear they like the group they currently have.

“I really, really like our wide receiver room,” Stefanski said on Tuesday. “I love the guys that are in there. [General manager] Andrew [Berry] and his crew are always looking at every avenue and that type of thing, so I won’t comment specifically on the player other than to say I really like our roster.”

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick deflected interest in free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, but ESPN’s Diana Russini revealed more behind the non-answer from Belichick.

“It’s really going to come down to what he prefers and what he wants because there are several teams, including the New England Patriots, who are interested in DeAndre Hopkins,” Russini said on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Thursday, June 1. “And we’re going to see over the next few weeks Hopkins taking visits with different teams, and he’s going to make a decision on what’s best for him.”

Hopkins, a three-time All-Pro wide receiver, became a major source of speculation after his release from the Arizona Cardinals on May 26. The five-time Pro Bowler had been linked to the Patriots in trade rumors throughout the offseason.

Belichick showed interest in Hopkins in December 2022 when the Patriots played the Cardinals as caught on camera. The Patriots couldn’t afford to trade Hopkins, but the team could now afford him as a free agent.

“I’m not going to comment on players that aren’t on this team,” Belichick told reporters on Wednesday, May 31.

If the Patriots added Hopkins, quarterback Mac Jones would have a solid duo at wide receiver because the Patriots signed JuJu Smith-Schuster as a free agent after the departure of top receiver Jakobi Meyers this offseason.

Patriots Face Challenge in Acquiring DeAndre Hopkins

ESPN’s Adam Schefter sees the fit between Hopkins and the Patriots, but one unanswered question remains. Would Hopkins play for Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien again?

The Houston Texans‘ head coach at the time, O’Brien traded Hopkins to the Cardinals in 2020. After the trade, Hopkins claimed that he and O’Brien had “no relationship” in Houston.

“New England could be interesting. New England has a need there,” Schefter said on the May 30 episode of “The Adam Schefter Podcast.” “But what I keep coming back to is that, in Houston, the man that traded DeAndre Hopkins was the then-Texans head coach Bill O’Brien. And who’s the Patriots offensive coordinator now? Bill O’Brien. I don’t think those two individuals, Bill O’Brien and DeAndre Hopkins, particularly cared for one another.

“So now it’s OK? That they’re just going to go back and get back together and be all right working together? I don’t know about that,” Schefter said. “I don’t know that New England is going to be atop his list. Now, it may be the one that makes the most financial sense, and if it is, then of course everybody can make it work. But I just don’t think we start out thinking that New England is going to be a top option, though in the end it could end up being the place that he lands.”

DeAndre Hopkins Not a ‘Program Fit’ for Patriots: Insider

Patriots insider Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston wrote that he didn’t view Hopkins as right for New England.

“After talking with several league sources this week about a potential union between Hopkins and the Patriots, a handful of themes have emerged. He is not thought to be, I’m told, a ‘program fit,'” Perry wrote in a story published June 1.

Perry reported that one unnamed offensive assistant raised concerns about Hopkins’ approach to practice. Another unnamed coach claimed Hopkins is still a “phenomenal player,” he wrote.

“It’s not as though Hopkins would single-handedly wipe out the work that Belichick has done to create an environment that stands for certain principles,” Perry wrote. “But signing Hopkins would be an indication that Belichick is willing to bend on some of those principles to try to get back into contention after missing the postseason two of the last three years.”

The Dallas Cowboys do not appear overly eager to make a run at recently released star receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy made his first public comments addressing the Hopkins rumors indicating that the team is content with their current group of wideouts while also praising the star.

“I’ll say this, obviously being on offense full-time I really do like the look of our group,” McCarthy told reporters on June 1, 2023. “The vertical speed, we’ve made some improvement there and obviously we’re not in any full speed type activities, outside of seven-on-seven, so you can feel that from our guys. But yeah, as far as players that are not here, there’s nothing good that comes out of those answers.

“Hops [is] a hell of a talent. I had a chance to be around his first Pro Bowl, so I’ve always had respect for him since his rookie year.”

The Cowboys Appear to Have Faith in Michael Gallup Bouncing Back as the Team’s WR3

This is a remarkably different approach than the one the Cowboys took when Odell Beckham Jr. was a free agent last season. McCarthy was among the members of the team that went out of his way to praise Beckham and indicate the team had an interest in adding the playmaker.

The Cowboys find themselves in a different situation after trading for speedy receiver Brandin Cooks earlier this offseason. When Dallas met with Beckham, the initial idea was that the star would be an in-season addition before it was revealed that the former Pro Bowler was not ready to suit up.

As for Hopkins, Dallas’ potential pursuit of the star wideout likely depends on how much faith the team still has in Gallup. The Cowboys receiver revealed that his knee did not feel at full strength during last season after spending the offseason recovering from an ACL injury.

“You go out there, you want to play like you always play,” Gallup remarked during a May 18 interview with DallasCowboys.com. “You know how you’re supposed to play. That didn’t happen for me last year. I was thinking too much. My knee was feeling sore and it was just different.”

NFL Rumors: DeAndre Hopkins Wants to Match Odell Beckham Jr.’s New $15 Million Deal

Ezekiel Elliott had a post-June 1 release designation which means the Cowboys gained more than $10 million in cap space this month. This does not necessarily mean the team will make another splashy move as some of this money will likely be used to sign players to extensions with Trevon Diggs and CeeDee Lamb’s futures looming large.

It remains to be seen how much money Hopkins will command with his next deal. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer indicated that Odell Beckham Jr.’s new $15 million salary with the Ravens set the floor in Hopkins’ mind for his next contract. Beckham’s signing with Baltimore complicated the Chiefs’ ability to land Hopkins.

“Kansas City made progress toward a deal, but things went a little sideways when Odell Beckham Jr. got $15 million in base pay from Baltimore, making Hopkins feel like he should land at least that much, given that Beckham didn’t play last year,” Breer detailed on May 30.

As of Thursday, June 1, the closest a former member of the Arizona Cardinals will get to the Los Angeles Rams is ex-head coach Kliff Kingsbury being invited to their practices — which was seen on Wednesday, May 31.

Free agent DeAndre Hopkins is already considered a longshot to head inside the “Rams House.” But now, one insider revealed Hopkins likely won’t become teammates with two former Rams starters either.

Hopkins to Bills a ‘Long Shot,’ Insider Says

Via Tim Graham of The Athletic, the perennial Pro Bowl wide receiver “probably isn’t joining the Buffalo Bills.”

The Bills have been jokingly dubbed the L.A. Rams East by fans for taking in past Ram stars — a la Von Miller in the 2022 offseason and in 2023, added former Rams safety and member of the Super Bowl 56 team Taylor Rapp. The Bills also once had Rodger Saffold on the offensive line (last played in 2022) and briefly had wide receiver and Ex-Ram Tavon Austin.

Hopkins’ name had been floating around as an idea for “Bills Mafia” the moment he expressed having interest down the road in possibly playing with Josh Allen with I Am Athlete. The Bills were also considered one of the teams facing the highest odds in landing “D-Hop” as he remains without an NFL home.

However, Graham spoke with three unnamed executives with direct knowledge of the Hopkins situation. The conclusion drawn for the Bills? They simply don’t have the money to accommodate Hopkins.

“One of those sources called Buffalo ‘a long shot’ to land Hopkins,” Graham reported. “The Arizona Cardinals released him last week, snuffing a contract with a base salary of $19.45 million this season. Two of the executives said Hopkins wants a deal similar to what the Baltimore Ravens gave Odell Beckham Jr., who signed a one-year deal worth $15 million guaranteed with another $3 million in incentives.”

The Bills were once considered a potential landing spot via trade, as Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer revealed the Bills being among the interested in adding “D-Hop.” Money, however, was a determining factor in backing away. The Athletic also confirmed that Hopkins spoke to general manager of the Bills, Brandon Beane.

But now, Hopkins’ chances of being around the Bills are diminishing. And they’re not the only ones.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy helped squash the idea of his team adding Hopkins, telling the Dallas media Thursday “I really like the look of our (wide receiver) group. The vertical speed is definitely — you know, we made some improvement there.”

Rams Assistant Loves Maturity of Rookie, Saying There’s No ‘Babying’ Needed

As mentioned before, the addition of Puka Nacua via the 2023 draft helps erase the thought of Hopkins coming on board.

Turns out the BYU Cougar is already winning over his newest offensive coordinator not just through his play, but maturity.

Speaking with reporters following the Wednesday OTAs practice, Mike LaFleur revealed what he likes so far from the late-round find by the Rams.

“He’s a good-sized kid. He’s got a good frame to him. He catches the ball really effortlessly,” LaFleur stated. “He can stay grounded through the catch and so he is doing a good job with it. And particularly moving him around quite a bit, not babying him at all with the motions and the alignments and stuff like that and so he’s doing a good job.”

LaFleur adds how he loves the fact Nacua is among a group of newcomers who have chosen to “swim” with the Rams.

“You can tell, all you have to do is look at these – especially the young guys – just look at their eyes when they’re in the huddle and you can tell the guys that are swimming, the guys that aren’t and he definitely has a calm demeanor about himself and is fitting in nicely,” LaFleur said.

In the absence of Cooper Kupp, the 177th overall selection has gotten a chance to earn some valuable reps near Cal Lutheran at Thousand Oaks. Nacua has gotten his share of targets from Matthew Stafford while also working with fellow rookie Stetson Bennett.

Don’t count the New York Giants out of the DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes. 

Head coach Brian Daboll didn’t rule out a Hopkins signing and confirmed Big Blue’s front office is doing its “due diligence” in the three-time All-Pro wide receiver.

Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are at least entertaining a move for Hopkins, who was released by the Arizona Cardinals on May 26 and is garnering serious free agency interest, according to Heavy Sports NFL reporter Matt Lombardo. 

“Like last year, anytime there is someone available that’s a free agent, I would say Joe (Schoen) and his staff are going to look into it, research it,” Daboll told reporters before the team’s fifth OTA on March 31. “We talk about a lot of different players, regardless of who it is. That’s part of our job, to make sure we are doing our due diligence.”

Hopkins has only played in 19 games since his 1,400-yard first season in Arizona. But the 30-year-old would offer New York a highly sought-after WR1 and the chance to cap its impressive offseason, according to Pat Leonard of the NY Daily News.

Wrote Leonard: “Daniel Jones got paid. The Giants are loading up, and Hopkins as another piece definitely wouldn’t hurt.”

Giants Battling Chiefs and Bills in ‘Arms Race’ to Sign DeAndre Hopkins?

Big Blue isn’t the only NFL club doing its homework on Hopkins.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills are locked in an “arms race” for the 10-year veteran, according to ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler. But both are more cap-strapped from the Giants, who currently possess $4.1 million in space according to the latest NFL Player’s Association records.

The Chiefs believe Kadarius Toney could develop into a WR1 after his midseason trade from the Giants, per Fowler. And a recent move to sign ex-Buccaneers tackle Donovan Smith might make a Hopkins move even tougher.

“That (Smith signing) drained some of their resources — I don’t know if they could quite pull it off,” Fowler said on ESPN’s “Keyshawn, JWill & Max.” “They do believe Kadarius Toney can be a No. 1-type receiver. I don’t get the sense that they’re overly desperate to make this happen, but there’s certainly some interest.”

Fowler thinks Bills could be a more serious “threat” to the Giants to sign Hopkins.

“When you talk to other NFL teams, they believe the Bills are a threat here and they have been for awhile,” Fowler said. “I still suspect that you have two contenders in the AFC that are sort of trying to combat each other and make sure one doesn’t get Hopkins over the other. So it’s a little bit of an arms race there.” 

With star quarterbacks, steady ownership, and top defenses, both the Chiefs and Bills would satisfy Hopkins’ wish list he offered to the “IAMATHLETE” podcast before his release. So would the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys, two more teams Fowler sees as sleepers for Hopkins.

The biggest sleeper team could be Big Blue, though.

“New York has many supporting players at wide receiver but no alpha,” Fowler said. “Is it time to give Daniel Jones an elite guy once and for all? Perhaps Darren Waller assumes that role, but he’s a tight end. The NFC East is only getting better, and the Giants might need to win some shootouts.”

DeAndre Hopkins Would Make Giants ‘Instant & Obvious Playoff Contender’

Hopkins would give Big Blue its biggest receiving threat since Odell Beckham Jr.

So says FOX Sports NFC East reporter Ralph Vacchiano, who believes the team’s current receiving corps “is basically a group of Nos. 2 and 3 receivers who hope that one of them proves to be a No. 1 by default.”

“They don’t have anyone that can come close to Hopkins,” Vacchiano wrote. “Maybe Darren Waller, if he stays healthy, but that’s a big if after two injury-plagued seasons. Plus, he’s a tight end. The Giants still need a No. 1 receiver. And while they have high hopes for Jalin Hyatt, their third-round pick, it’s a stretch to think he could have Hopkins-like potential, at least at first.”

The Giants should also have “their fingers crossed” for the health of receivers like Wan’Dale Robinson, Parris Campbell, and Sterling Shepard, per Vacchiano. All three pass catchers have missed significant time with injuries; two of those wideouts (Robinson and Shepard) had season-ending ailments just last season.

Hopkins will be 31 before the 2023 season. But at the very least, he’d add another body to New York’s room. And at the very best?

“He’s a top-5 receiver in the league,” Vacchiano said. “He would be the greatest gift they could give Daniel Jones outside of the contract extension they just gave him. Assuming everything else goes right… Hopkins would vault the Giants’ offense close to the top 10 and make them an instant and obvious playoff contender.”