DeAndre Hopkins Working With Patriots’ Coaching Staff

“He’s got coaching gear on, and he is helping out the offensive coaches and meeting with our personnel guys,” head coach Mike Vrabel told Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald and other reporters.

Hopkins and Vrabel have crossed paths with multiple teams. They first overlapped in Houston from 2014-17, a stretch Vrabel divided as a linebackers coach and a defensive coordinator. Hopkins then played for Vrabel in Tennessee in 2023, the seventh and most recent 1,000-yard season for the 13-year veteran.

Hopkins ranks 17th on the all-time receiving list in catches (1,006), 18th in yards (13,295) and tied for 19th in touchdowns (85), but the five-time Pro Bowler’s production went downhill over the previous two seasons. The decline began in earnest when he hauled in 56 receptions for 610 yards and five TDs over 16 games in 2024, a season divided between Tennessee and Kansas City.

The Ravens gave Hopkins a $5MM deal in free agency in 2025. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder played a full season for the eighth time, but he posted personal lows in catches (22), yards (310) and scores (two). Hopkins has shown interest in re-signing with the Ravens since last season ended, though they have not reciprocated.

Also a former Cardinal, the well-traveled Hopkins pointed to the Bengals and Vikings as other teams he would be willing to join. Hopkins was speculatively connected to the Commanders earlier this month, but there has been no reported interest from them or anyone else. If he is unable to land a contract as a player, Hopkins may fully turn his attention to coaching.