DeAndre Hopkins Visit With Patriots To Yield Expected Result, Per Insider

The New England Patriots will try to get the best of DeAndre Hopkins and his visit on June 15.

The Arizona Cardinals released Hopkins on May 26. He didn’t have crazy numbers in 2022 and had just 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns in 10 dames.

Jeff Howe from The Athletic was among the first to report that Hopkins and the Patriots can definitely reach an agreement.

Hopkins visits Patriots amid big rumors

Hopkins has already visited the Tennessee Titans, but nothing changed.

“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.”

From Inside Minicamps on NFL+: FA WR DeAndre Hopkins is visiting the #Patriots, but waiting until training camp to sign anywhere makes sense for all sides. pic.twitter.com/2mYDrpDfbm

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 14, 2023

NFL teams have shown great interest in Hopkins, but he won’t settle for anything less than $23.2 million per year. Is Bill Belichick willing to pay this much for someone who can get injured and even miss time?

“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. 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. 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 can see himself wearing a Patriots uniform. He likes the team and really appreciates the Patriots management. Belichick doesn’t have a star quarterback at center, but Hopkins can definitely catch passes from Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, or any other QB on the Patriots roster.