Bill Belichick addresses DeAndre Hopkins-Patriots free agency buzz
Bill Belichick may be a lot of things, but he isn’t DeAndre Hopkins’ “travel agent.”
When speaking to reporters on Monday, the Patriots head coach did not elaborate on a timeline as to when the All-Pro wide receiver could be heading to New England as part of his free-agency tour, which NFL Media first reported Friday.
“We’re working through it, so I don’t really have anything to add to that,” Belichick said, according to Boston.com.
The longtime coach was pressed further on the matter and noted that being a personal secretary isn’t part of his current responsibilities.
“I’m not really a travel agent. I’m not going to say it’s going to happen here, or it’s not going to happen,” Belichick said.
DeAndre Hopkins was released by the Cardinals in May 2023. Getty Images
Patriots coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media in May 2023. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“There’s a lot of other stuff going on that I’m not directly involved in, 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’s comments come just as the five-time Pro Bowler is visiting with the Titans following his release from the Cardinals in late May.
Though the sweepstakes for Hopkins’ services is certainly revving up, it remains to be seen if other teams toss their hats into the ring.
When playing at his best, the 31-year-old Hopkins can be a dominant No.1 option at the receiver position.
DeAndre Hopkins runs with the ball during a Cardinals game in November 2022. Getty Images
In 2020, which was Hopkins’ last full season with the Cardinals, he totaled 1,407 receiving yards for six touchdowns and earned an All-Pro selection.
If Hopkins can manage a similar level of production, that would be a huge boost to the Patriots’ offense as their current No.1 receiver, Jakobi Meyers, recorded 804 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2022.
The Patriots also added former Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster this offseason, giving third-year quarterback Mac Jones another weapon to throw to.
In a division that includes the Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill and the Bills’ Stefon Diggs, adding Hopkins may be a key piece in leveling the playing field in the stacked AFC East.
Source: New York Post
