DeAndre Hopkins

Latest On DeAndre Hopkins

July 9th, 2023 at 11:15am CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 9, 11:15am: Our earlier stories suggested that the Chiefs could reenter the mix if they create cap space via a Chris Jones extension. Veteran NFL reporter Mike Jurecki confirms that Hopkins is waiting for a Jones extension to be finalized so that Kansas City can at least become a viable suitor once again (Twitter link). It’s unclear if the Chiefs would be Hopkins’ top choice, but the chance to be a part of the Andy Reid–Patrick Mahomes offense would be difficult to turn down if KC can present a competitive offer.

JULY 9, 09:45am: To date, the Titans have been more aggressive than the Patriots in their pursuit of Hopkins, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. It is unclear what that means in terms of dollars, though the difference between the two clubs’ offers is not stark enough to keep New England out of the mix. Indeed, if more teams do not enter the sweepstakes, Reiss echoes the sentiment that the presence of Bill O’Brien in Foxborough could give the Pats an edge. Hopkins has a track record of production in O’Brien’s offense when both men were in Houston and may therefore see a stint in New England as the best way to cash in on any incentives included in his next contract.

JULY 7: The waiting game continues for veteran free agents around the league, including wideout DeAndre Hopkins. While weighing his options, the All-Pro recently made it clear that he intends to continue his career well into the future.

“I’ll retire from football when I’m not a 1k-yard receiver,” Hopkins said in a Threads post. “With that said, I was on pace for 1,400 yards last year – one significant injury in 11 years. I might be playing till I’m 37 the way I feel.”

Hopkins, 31, has been limited to 19 games over the past two seasons due to injury and his 2022 PED suspension. In spite of that, he demonstrated a continued ability to produce when on the field last season, averaging just under 80 receiving yards per contest. If healthy, the former Texan and Cardinal could very well turn in another 1,000-yard performance on his new team.

The five-time Pro Bowler last reached that mark in 2020, his first campaign in Arizona. He will be expected to once again serve as an impact-making receiver on his next team, especially if he is able to secure the lucrative pact he is reportedly seeking. Hopkins has only taken visits with two teams so far – the Titans and Patriots – but each have submitted an offer to him. His market outside of Tennessee and New England has remained underwhelming, though, leaving him to wait for further interest to develop.

Hopkins has been in talks with both the Titans and Patriots this week, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (h/t Grant Gordon of NFL.com). Nothing is considered imminent at this point, however, which comes as little surprise with training camp serving as an unofficial soft deadline for a deal to come together. New England’s new contract for DeVante Parker has not taken them out of contention for Hopkins, while the Titans remain confident they can ultimately secure the Clemson alum.

Hopkins’ remarks likely won’t have an effect on the terms he would be given on a short-term deal, one which would allow him to rebuild his value coming off of consecutive seasons with signficant missed time. With an eye on his career lasting deep into his 30s, though, a multi-year agreement could be of interest as well, be it from the Titans, Patriots or another suitor.

Latest On Titans, DeAndre Hopkins

July 1st, 2023 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The waiting game continues with respect to DeAndre Hopkins and his relatively small list of known suitors. One of them is the Titans, a team which has a standing offer in place for the All-Pro wideout.

Hopkins visited Tennessee and New England last month, and each team was sufficiently impressed to put a contract on the table. The 31-year-old is staying patient with plenty of time remaining between now and training camp, which could extend his free agent period especially if his market fails to heat up in the coming weeks.

In that event, the Titans could represent an intriguing option for Hopkins. Tennessee is lacking in known producers at the WR spot, and a signing could give them a signficant boost in the passing game. On that point, ESPN’s Turron Davenport notes that the team believes it has a “legitimate chance” at landing the five-time Pro Bowler.

Tennessee has 2022 first-rounder Treylon Burks at the top of the depth chart as things currently stand, and expectations will be high for him after an underwhelming rookie season. To little surprise, though, the Arkansas alum publicly praised the in-house options in place, a group which includes Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Kyle Philips, Racey McMath and free agent signing Chris Moore. Hopkins would represent by far the most accomplished pass-catcher for the Titans if he were to ink a contract with them.

However, the former Texan and Cardinal has been closely connected to the Patriots during his time on the open market, and their new deal for DeVante Parker has not taken them out of the running for him. New England currently has just under $15MM in cap space, while Tennessee has $8.3MM, meaning the latter team would be underdogs in a potential bidding war.

Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly echoed Burks’ confidence in the Titans’ current setup, but a signficant step forward is needed through the air compared to 2022 when the post-A.J. Brown era began. Tennessee could see themselves competing with New England and potentially Carolina to land Hopkins, but belief within the organization that his arrival remains a distinct possibility is noteworthy. Hopkins’ market is one they, among others, will no doubt continue to monitor.

Patriots Remain In DeAndre Hopkins Pursuit

June 29th, 2023 at 9:55am CST by Sam Robinson

The Patriots took care of one of their own wide receivers Wednesday, coming to terms on a deal that pushes DeVante Parker‘s contract past 2023. Rather than the contract being a sign the Patriots are steering away from DeAndre Hopkins, the Parker deal may end up helping the team on this front.

Parker’s extension numbers are not out yet, though the initial report indicated the 2022 New England trade acquisition can earn up to $33MM — with up to $14MM guaranteed — on the new pact. But veteran reporter Mike Giardi notes the deal lowered Parker’s cap hit (Twitter link). Considering Parker already was tied to just a $6.2MM 2023 number, it will be interesting to see these new terms. The incentives in Parker’s deal range from playing time-based escalators to performance thresholds, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss notes, adding the former Dolphins receiver’s 2023 base salary will drop below $5.7MM on this new deal.

As for Hopkins, Giardi adds the Patriots believe they are still in the mix. They hosted Hopkins earlier this month, following the Titans in securing a meeting with the free agent standout. The Parker move does give the Pats two veteran wideouts signed beyond 2023, joining March addition JuJu Smith-Schuster, but the team has not ruled out having two 30-something receivers on its roster.

A 2015 first-round pick, Parker is going into his age-30 season. Hopkins turned 31 earlier this month. Parker and Hopkins are each known more for catch radiuses than separation ability, especially at this point in their respective careers, so seeing them on the same team would represent an interesting configuration for new OC Bill O’Brien‘s offense. Smith-Schuster, 26, has primarily been a slot receiver throughout his career; the ex-Steelers and Chiefs pass catcher would stand to complement a Parker-Hopkins outside duo.

The Pats landing Hopkins would seemingly relegate 2022 second-round pick Tyquan Thornton to a reserve role, though the Baylor product remains an intriguing option after missing a chunk of his rookie year due to injury. Mike Gesicki is also in line to see extensive receiver time, crowding this position group — in the event Hopkins chooses to relocate to Massachusetts.

Kendrick Bourne amassed 800 receiving yards in 2021 before falling out of favor — to some degree, at least — with the coaching staff last season. The free agency addition totaled just 434 yards during a dysfunctional 2022 campaign for the Patriots’ offense. Bourne, who is going into his age-28 season, is signed through 2023. Parker’s deal, however, may put Bourne on New England’s roster bubble, AtoZsports.com’s Doug Kyed notes. The Pats can save $5.4MM by releasing or trading the seventh-year veteran. Trade calls came in on Bourne before the deadline last year; he was believed to be available for “the right price.”

Both the Pats and Titans extended offers to Hopkins, but the 10-year veteran is still waiting for his market to expand. While the Chiefs and Bills — long-rumored suitors who had previously discussed trade terms with the Cardinals — have been quiet here for a stretch, and a Deshaun Watson reunion in Cleveland is looking increasingly unlikely. But the Panthers have emerged as a team to monitor here.

DeAndre Hopkins On Panthers’ Radar?

June 27th, 2023 at 1:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

The list of teams directly connected to free agent wideout DeAndre Hopkins has remained small in the aftermath of his visits to the Titans and Patriots. A new suitor may be on the fringes of the pursuit of the All-Pro, though.

During an appearance on the Keyshawn, JWill & Max program, ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio named the Panthers as a team which is “lurking” with respect to Hopkins. Tennessee and New England have remained at the forefront of the 31-year-old’s situation, with the latter team in particular being touted as a logical destination. Carolina could stand to add another veteran to its receiver room, however.

The Panthers have already made a pair notable WR signings this offseason. Adam Thielen and DJ Chark have inked three- and one-year contracts, respectively, in Carolina, a team looking to take a signficant step forward in the passing game. Veteran tight end Hayden Hurst was brought in to help that effort, giving Carolina a number of experienced pass-catchers for rookie quarterback Bryce Young to work with. Second-round rookie Jonathan Mingo should also compete for a starting receiver spot.

Additionally, Joe Person of The Athletic cautions that while the Panthers will no doubt monitor Hopkins’ situation, they have more pressing roster holes at cornerback and edge rush in particular (Twitter link). The latter position is expected to see an addition at some point this summer, something which will eat into the team’s available cap space. As things currently stand, though, the Panthers have $26.6MM available – a far higher figure than the Patriots and Titans.

Paolantonio also mentioned the Browns as a team worth keeping an eye on regarding Hopkins. It was reported yesterday, though, that Cleveland is content with its receiver room as is, meaning a serious push for the five-time Pro Bowler is unlikely. It will be interesting to monitor how Carolina proceeds with their spending power as it pertains to Hopkins, who is set to remain patient for the time being as he considers his options.

Browns Comfortable With WR Room; Team Unlikely To Pursue DeAndre Hopkins

June 26th, 2023 at 9:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

DeAndre Hopkins resided as Deshaun Watson‘s top receiver throughout the latter’s stay with the Texans, and the 2022 trade chip has expressed support for his new team to greenlight a reunion. Although early momentum signaled the Hopkins-to-Cleveland scenario was viable, that buzz ceased over the past several days.

Hopkins made visits to Nashville and Foxborough, and the 10-year veteran is weighing Titans and Patriots free agency offers. The former All-Pro, however, is clearly hoping for more. He is eager to see if more teams will enter the fray and drive up the price. As of now, it does not look like the Browns will be one of them. It has been trending in this direction for a bit with Cleveland.

The Browns are comfortable with their receiving corps, Albert Breer of SI.com notes, adding that the team has not made an effort to enter the Hopkins derby. Such an entrance is unlikely. Elijah Moore‘s work thus far this offseason has contributed heavily to the organization’s comfort level with a position group that was thin during Watson’s first year.

Helping the Jets rearrange their receiver room to accommodate what turned out to be three free agency additions (Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, Randall Cobb) as Aaron Rodgers arrived, the Browns acquired Moore in a pick-swap deal that featured the former second-round pick relocating in exchange for a 32-spot draft-slot drop. The Jets used the Moore pick in the package sent to the Packers for Rodgers. While the Jets now have four second-contract receivers supplementing Garrett Wilson, the Browns have been impressed by Moore’s showing during their padless set of practices.

Moore is expected to operate in the slot frequently in Cleveland, but the team is also planning a versatile role for the former Ole Miss prospect. Saddled with potential bust Zach Wilson in New York, Moore showed promise as a rookie (43 catches, 538 yards, five touchdowns) but slumped last season. Moore feuded with Jets OC Mike LaFleur, was sent home from a practice and requested a trade. The Browns looked into Moore last year, but the Jets brought him back into the fold. He ended averaging just 27.9 yards per game — far lower than his 48.9 per game as a rookie. Two seasons remains on Moore’s rookie contract; he is expected to work alongside Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones as a Browns starter.

In addition to the intrigue surrounding Moore, Breer adds Anthony Schwartz has shown progress as well. The former Auburn speedster has not taken flight as a pro, catching just 14 passes in 25 career games. The Browns also brought in veteran Marquise Goodwin to help as a long-range threat. Schwartz, who joined Moore as a 2021 Day 2 pick, could conceivably put pressure on Goodwin for the team’s final WR spot. But Goodwin is viewed as a good bet to make the team. The Browns also have 2022 third-round pick David Bell and yet another third-rounder (rookie Cedric Tillman) in the mix; Bell’s roster spot is not believed to be in jeopardy.

Hopkins’ past with Watson notwithstanding, he would seemingly fit better with the Patriots or Titans — or other teams that have also been connected here over the past few weeks. The Chiefs lost Hardman and JuJu Smith-Schuster and saw Kadarius Toney‘s run of injuries follow him from New York last year. The Bills did not see consistency from Stefon Diggs sidekick Gabe Davis, who is going into a contract year.

After the Browns trudged through last season mostly dependent on only Cooper and Peoples-Jones, Moore gives them a clear third option. The team has some interesting backups as well, which will likely keep Hopkins out of Ohio. The Browns’ receiver acquisitions will put Watson in position to improve on his sluggish start with the franchise.

DeAndre Hopkins Weighing Offers From Patriots, Titans

June 22nd, 2023 at 3:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Both of DeAndre Hopkins‘ visits produced contract proposals. The Titans and Patriots each made the free agent wide receiver an offer, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com said during an NFL Live appearance.

Hopkins is weighing both potential deals but is angling for more teams to emerge as suitors, per Russini (h/t MassLive.com). Other teams have been mentioned as interested, but Hopkins has only trekked to Nashville and New England since his Arizona release. The Patriots made a push to sign Hopkins last week. However, the former All-Pro is holding out for more.

Considering both teams told Hopkins they believe he can still be an impact receiver, it is unsurprising each submitted an offer during their respective visits. The Titans secured the first meeting and look to need receiving help a bit more than the Patriots. That said, Bill Belichick has long been intrigued by Hopkins’ skillset. And the team is aiming to maximize Mac Jones‘ capabilities this season, after the former first-round pick took a step back as the Patriots followed through with a strange 2022 setup that featured the since-departed Matt Patricia at the controls.

It does not sound like Hopkins is eager to accept one of these offers in the near future, with Russini echoing the refrain of patience. The 31-year-old receiver has clearly not received the kind of offer he wanted during either visit, and neither Jones nor Ryan Tannehill were on the list of quarterbacks with whom Hopkins would most want to align. Two of the passers on said list — Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen — lead teams that have been closely connected to this pursuit this offseason. Both the Chiefs and Bills negotiated a trade with the Cardinals. Kansas City’s discussions involved Hopkins adjusting his contract to facilitate a trade, but after the Ravens gave Odell Beckham Jr. $15MM guaranteed in late March, those talks ceased.

Hopkins likely hopes one or both of those AFC powerhouses will jump back into this derby — if nothing else, to accelerate his market — and the Chiefs can increase their cap space by extending Chris Jones. Talks are ongoing. The Chiefs ($409K) and Bills ($5.5MM) sit at or near the bottom for available funds. The Patriots hold $14.9MM; the Titans carry $7.9MM.

Tennessee has been reeling at wide receiver since trading A.J. Brown, a move that wounded the team’s passing attack last season. The Titans used a 2022 first-round pick on Treylon Burks, but he battled injuries as a rookie and finished with 444 receiving yards and one touchdown. More will be expected of Burks this year, but the Titans are light on complementary help as well. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine might be Tennessee’s top WR2 presence; the team did not draft a receiver until Round 7.

New England was more active this offseason, signing JuJu Smith-Schuster to a three-year, $25.5MM deal. The Pats used a second-round pick on Tyquan Thornton last year, but injuries limited the Baylor product as a rookie. DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne remain rostered, while the Pats also used two sixth-round choices on receivers. The team did not see consistency from its Bourne and Nelson Agholor 2021 investments, so it would be interesting to see another two-signing offseason. But Hopkins could obviously help this receiving corps.

Dalvin Cook To Discuss Free Agency With DeAndre Hopkins

June 20th, 2023 at 9:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

Alongside wideout DeAndre Hopkins, running back Dalvin Cook finds himself at the center of attention in the NFL’s free agent landscape. The latter is contemplating his next move, and that will include conversations with the former.

During an appearance on the Adam Schefter Podcast, Cook spoke about the possibility of joining the same team Hopkins ultimately does when he signs his next contract. Doing so would be surprising given the financial terms each multi-time Pro Bowler is likely to command from suitors, but Cook said, “if we end up on the same roster, that would be something epic for the NFL.”

The 27-year-old made it clear that he has yet to speak with Hopkins so far during his first career foray into free agency. A patient approach is expected for both players, with Cook angling for a clear-cut No. 1 role in his next home and Hopkins weighing the offers made by Tennessee and New England after his visits there last week. However, discussions will take place regarding what would be an interesting team-up scenario and one which would provide a team with a considerable boost in both the passing and running game.

“Everybody knows who D-Hop is,” Cook added. “You know what you’re getting out of D-Hop, and you know what he [is] going to bring to your roster. It’s the same for me… And he was one of those guys that I was going to reach out to, because, like, I know he [has] 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.”

The Dolphins and Broncos were initially named as teams to watch on the Cook front, though the latter squad appears to be out of the running. The interest showed by Miami to add the hometown back will be worth watching as the summer progresses, particularly in relation to how serious of a push other teams make to acquire him. Depending on how discussions between he and Hopkins go, though, a new layer to each player’s free agent process could develop.

Latest On DeAndre Hopkins’ Free Agency

June 19th, 2023 at 7:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following their free agency visit, the Patriots were making a push to sign DeAndre Hopkins. The former All-Pro wideout is believed to be intrigued by the idea of joining the Pats, but he remains unsigned.

Visits with both the Patriots and Titans are believed to have gone well, Albert Breer of SI.com notes, and veteran NFL reporter Mike Giardi offers that each team told the high-profile UFA he still offers “elite” capabilities (Twitter link). Like Dalvin Cook, however, Hopkins is taking his time surveying the market. Waiting on a potential injury or a team suddenly growing concerned about its receiving corps — scenarios that could come to pass during training camp — is also factoring into Hopkins’ decision-making, Giardi adds.

Hopkins and Bill Belichick spent time in one-on-one meetings during the Pats summit, per Breer, who adds the 10-year veteran remains close with Titans HC Mike Vrabel. That said, it looks like Hopkins is holding out hope teams with better Super Bowl LVIII odds will re-enter the equation. Absent big money, Hopkins is aiming to join a contender, Breer added during an NBC Sports Boston appearance (video link).

The Ravens’ Odell Beckham Jr. contract blew up Cardinals-Chiefs negotiations for Hopkins, who would have been bound for Kansas City on an adjusted deal. With Beckham securing $15MM fully guaranteed despite missing all of last season and having suffered two ACL tears since October 2020, Hopkins balked at taking a pay cut. Cardinals talks with the Chiefs and Bills ceased, and both Buffalo and Kansas City have drifted a bit compared to their spots on the Hopkins radar when Arizona first released him. But neither Tennessee nor New England appears to have blown Hopkins away with an offer, per Breer, potentially reopening the door for the Chiefs or Bills.

The Bills created some 2023 cap space by extending Ed Oliver but used that savings to add Leonard Floyd. They hold $5.5MM in space. The Chiefs are at just $651K, carrying the league’s lowest figure exiting minicamp. But Kansas City remains at work on a Chris Jones extension. While Jones is likely asking for a contract closer to Aaron Donald‘s $31.7MM per year than Jeffery Simmons‘ No. 2 defensive tackle deal ($23.5MM AAV), the Chiefs extending their All-Pro lineman would drop his cap number from its present $28.3MM place. That would create cap room for Kansas City to potentially re-enter the fray, and Hopkins — who has spoken highly of teaming with Patrick Mahomes on multiple occasions this offseason — can afford to be patient.

Regarding the New England fit, Hopkins and Bill O’Brien look to be back on favorable terms despite the 2020 Houston separation. And Belichick likely addressed potential concerns about Hopkins’ recent history of not practicing fully, famed ex-Patriots O-line coach Dante Scarnecchia said (via MassLive.com’s Karen Guregian). In-season practice schedules certainly do not present the grind they once did, with the CBA capping the number of padded workouts to 13 over the course of the regular season. But Hopkins has battled multiple injuries since his most recent Pro Bowl season (2020) and has missed nine games for health reasons over the past two years.

Although Hopkins did not begin his visit itinerary looking to take much of a discount from the $19.4MM salary he was due to make with the Cardinals, the first two meetings not producing take-notice money adds intrigue to this situation. The Bills and Chiefs could be back in the mix soon, but for now, the Titans and Pats are still interested.

Latest On DeAndre Hopkins, Patriots

June 15th, 2023 at 10:00pm CST by Ben Levine

DeAndre Hopkins‘ visit with the Patriots has come to an end, and it sounds like there’s serious interest from both sides. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets that there’s “definitely intrigue from player and team” following the meeting. Meanwhile, Jeff Howe of The Athletic tweets that the Patriots are “making a push” for the free agent wideout. Hopkins posted about the visit on Instagram, posting a picture of himself and Matt Judon with the caption “La Familia” (per ESPN’s Mike Reiss).

It sounds like there’s some building optimism towards a deal. Howe notes that while Hopkins “has departed Gillette Stadium,” he’s still remaining local. There was a report earlier this week that Hopkins could consider additional visits following his scheduled stops in Tennessee and New England. However, no definitive additional suitors have emerged since that time, so Hopkins’ choice may come down to the Titans and Patriots.

Fowler previously reported that Hopkins has been in no rush to sign with a team and could wait until closer to training camp to ink a deal (via Reiss). The Patriots are also set to be off for a month after finishing their offseason program tomorrow.

Hopkins would be an intriguing addition to a receivers corps that lacks a clear number one WR. The Patriots let Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor walk this offseason, adding receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Mike Gesicki to a grouping of targets that also includes DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, and tight end Hunter Henry.

While Hopkins will be entering his age-31 season in 2023, he’d still provide more upside than any of the team’s current options. The veteran missed a chunk of games due to suspension in 2022, but he still managed to finish the year with 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns. His 79.7 yards per game was a massive improvement from his 2021 campaign (57.2 ypg), and his 2022 average would have led the Patriots by a significant margin.

While a Hopkins signing could come at the expense of one of the team’s current wideouts, it’d still be a massive addition in what will be a crucial year for Mac Jones. The quarterback flashed his first-round pedigree during his rookie campaign, but after the Patriots replaced Josh McDaniels with former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia (plus a sprinkle of former ST coordinator Joe Judge), Jones took a step back in 2022. The Patriots will have to make a decision on the QB’s fifth-year option following the 2023 season, so it’s crucial that the organization puts him in a position to succeed before making the commitment.

“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 said earlier this week (via Reiss).

“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.”

While considering the merits of adding Hopkins to their team, the Patriots will also have to consider that they haven’t gotten an extended look at their major FA acquisition. Per Mike Giardi (on Twitter), Smith-Schuster has been dealing with “physical ailments” throughout minicamp and has spoken to “how challenging this playbook is to learn.” The learning curve is one thing, but Giardi notes that the injuries are especially concerning since the Chiefs were forced to manage the veteran for the second half of last season. The Patriots will be counting on Smith-Schuster to replace some of the production lost when Meyers left for Las Vegas, and if there’s any doubt about his availability for all 17 games, there might be some added urgency to add to the depth chart.

Latest On Patriots, DeAndre Hopkins

June 14th, 2023 at 9:49am CST by Sam Robinson

After leaving his Titans meeting without a deal, DeAndre Hopkins continues to explore his options. While he may well continue to wait on the right offer following his Patriots visit, the sides will huddle up for a multi-day summit.

Hopkins’ Pats visit will begin later today and extend through Thursday. Though New England is not known to splurge for wide receiver help, Hopkins’ value has certainly dropped compared to where it was when he locked down his Cardinals extension three years ago.

This might not be an exploratory visit to merely gauge Hopkins’ market, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, who notes some optimism exists the sides can use this meeting to hammer out an agreement (subscription required). Tension between Hopkins and new Patriots OC Bill O’Brien may be in the past as well, with ESPN’s Dianna Russini adding no animosity remains between the two ex-Texans (Twitter link). Amid his woeful period in the Texans’ GM role, O’Brien pulled the trigger on trading Hopkins to Arizona in March 2020.

The Patriots have not been shy about acquiring proven pieces at receiver under Bill Belichick. In the years since the Randy Moss and Wes Welker trades, New England has traded for Brandin Cooks, Josh Gordon, Mohamed Sanu and DeVante Parker and signed the likes of Danny Amendola, Antonio Brown, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and JuJu Smith-Schuster. That said, the lone eight-figure-per-year payment the team authorized in this bunch — the two-year, $22MM Agholor deal — did not pan out. Smith-Schuster signed for three years and $25.5MM ($16MM guaranteed). The Pats also bailed on Cooks and Deion Branch via trade rather than sign up for a big-ticket contract.

Hopkins is not aiming to take a steep discount from his Cardinals pact, which would have paid him $19.45MM in 2023. Odell Beckham Jr.‘s $15MM Ravens guarantee has come up a few times during Hopkins’ free agency. Multiple evaluators pegged Hopkins’ value in the $8-$10MM-per-year range, SI.com’s Albert Breer noted during an NBC Sports Boston appearance (video link). This could also include incentives to move the money toward that $19MM-plus mark. Anything close to $19MM at this juncture remains highly unrealistic, and the Pats ponying up approximately $10MM for a player coming off two injury-plagued seasons — and a 2022 PED suspension — should certainly not be considered a lock.

But even as Buffalo and Kansas City lingered as the early favorites, New England hovered as a team to watch. Those rumors leading to this visit with a player Belichick has long viewed in high regard points to genuine interest. The team holds $14.8MM in cap space, which checks in at 14th as of Wednesday morning.

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