Jeremy Fowler reveals the latest on free agent DeAndre Hopkins' recruitment, timeline for decision
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler provided some interesting insight into the DeAndre Hopkins free agent saga, and it may not be ending anytime soon.
While Fowler is reporting Hopkins is in New England meeting with the Patriots on Thursday, a deal is unlikely to get done this afternoon, and Hopkins is willing to wait until early August to ink a contract.
“I just got official word, DeAndre Hopkins is in New England. He’s meeting with the Patriots,” explained Fowler. “He will meet with the coaches, Bill Belichick, and the Patriots interest remains high. They made that clear with Hopkins’ representatives at the very beginning when he became a free agent. So we’ll see if they can close on this thing.
“I’m also told that Hopkins is not in a major rush. He’s looking at more training camp, even early August as more of a harder deadline for him to sign somewhere. So it’d have to be a very sweet offer for New England to make that happen today.”
Moreover, the Tennessee Titans seem to be the other team currently involved in the Hopkins’ sweepstakes, but perhaps more franchises could come calling if the former Clemson Tigers star drags this thing out, like Fowler explained is a real possibility.
We’ll see if New England can unexpectedly close a deal on Thursday, but it could be a long road ahead for DeAndre Hopkins if not.
Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots players recruiting DeAndre Hopkins
Meanwhile, Tennessee Titans star and former first-round draft pick Jeffrey Simmons shared his pitch for Hopkins and why the Titans would love to land the veteran receiver for the 2023 season earlier this week.
“It’s crazy because I didn’t know until today, of course, I already sent the DM, like, ‘Come on with it, you already know what’s up,’” Simmons said on NFL Today. “I know the type of player he is, getting ready to play against him, watching the film, ‘DeAndre Hopkins, DeAndre Hopkins, that’s the guy we gotta stop.’ Everyone has a loot of respect for DeAndre Hopkins, he’s been around the game for a long time.
“His play-making ability, his leadership, the type of teammate he is, that’s why everybody wants him on their team. We’d love to have him on our team, not to rebuild, but to help us win this year.”
In addition to Simmons, many Patriots players have tried their hand at recruiting Hopkins, but it remains to be seen which pitches are getting through to Hopkins.
Moreover, Hopkins has the advantage of familiarity with key members of both teams. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel was an assistant in Houston early on in Hopkins’ NFL career when he played for the Texans. Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien was his head coach in Houston for several seasons as well – some of his most productive seasons, too.
Despite his age, at 31 years old, Hopkins is still capable of producing at a WR1 level. He had 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns in 2022. However, he will benefit from a strong supporting cast. Neither Mac Jones or Ryan Tannehill are considered among the NFL’s elite going into the season but both could use his veteran presence.