Mike Reiss, ESPN Workforce Editor
FOXBOROUGH, Pile. — Separate agent huge receiver DeAndre Hopkins visited with the New England Patriots on Thursday and, barring an surprising flip, each side are actually anticipated to jerk at some point to evaluate their nearest steps, in step with a supply habitual with the discuss with.
Hopkins, 31, has no longer been in a hurry to signal with a crew and has thought to be ready till nearer to coaching camp in past due July to put together a progress, a supply advised ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Likewise, the Patriots formally conclude their offseason program on Friday, with a couple of one-month hiatus sooner than the beginning of coaching camp.
On Instagram, Hopkins posted an image of himself with Patriots outdoor linebacker Matthew Judon, from inside of Unused England’s attic room. He integrated the phrases “La Familia,” which highlights how he attached with one of the most crew’s veteran leaders all through his discuss with.
Hopkins’ discuss with Thursday began early within the morning and went neatly into the afternoon, a supply advised Fowler, including Hopkins gave the impression intrigued via the potential for enjoying for Unused England and mentor Invoice Belichick. Whether or not that ends up in a do business in now or going forward remainder concealed.
Hopkins, who additionally visited with the Tennessee Titans early within the life, has a fan in Patriots 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. So obviously we’d love to have him, but we do have a great group of guys,” Jones mentioned at the beginning of the crew’s necessary minicamp this life.
“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.”
Belichick, who canceled the 3rd and ultimate time of necessary minicamp on Wednesday for a team-building paintball tour, has lengthy admired Hopkins. However Belichick repeated more than one occasions this life that he would discuss publicly handiest about avid gamers who’re already at the roster.
Thursday’s discuss with gave Belichick a probability to spend behind-the-scenes while with Hopkins and be told extra about what the three-time All-Professional is looking for in his nearest crew nearest enjoying for the Houston Texans (2013-2019) and Arizona Cardinals (2020-2022).
Their on-field assembly sooner than the Patriots’ 27-13 win over the Cardinals terminating December mirrored how extremely Belichick perspectives Hopkins. In audio captured by NFL Films, Belichick advised Hopkins: “I’m glad we only have to play you every four years, man. What a career you’re having.”
In flip, Hopkins mentioned to Belichick: “I love you, man.”
That connection has sparked hope amongst some Unused England lovers that Hopkins would possibly view the Patriots as his very best are compatible.
The crew’s just lately concluded minicamp confirmed why the Patriots may get advantages via signing Hopkins. With receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton operating their as far back as complete fitness and no longer working towards, nine-year veteran DeVante Parker and seven-year veteran Kendrick Bourne have been the supremacy pass-catchers.
Moreover, 2023 sixth-round draft selections Kayshon Boutte (Negative. 187) and Demario Douglas (Negative. 210) — who’re vying for a depth-based function at receiver — have been additionally held out of shape.
When everyone seems to be wholesome, Judon, one of the most crew’s defensive leaders, says he believes that may be an impressive team.
“I would rather just focus on the receivers that we have here,” Judon mentioned when requested about the potential for signing Hopkins. “We got some guys willing and eager to learn and get better every day. We have guys that can catch the ball, advance the ball, score from anywhere on the field, and a quarterback that can get them the ball.”
Of Hopkins, Judon added: “Wherever he lands, he lands. If it’s here, it’s here. And then we can talk about him.”
