Report: AFC team has 'optimism' it'll reach deal with star WR Thursday

ESPN's Dianna Russini reported that Hopkins was expected to visit with the New England Patriots on Wednesday and Thursday, and that there's "no animosity at all" between "Nuk" and Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. The coordinator was Hopkins' first head coach in the NFL with the Houston Texans from 2014-19.

New England is one of a bevy of teams that have been connected to the 31-year-old wide receiver since he was released by the Arizona Cardinals in late May.

One of the other reported potential suitors is the Tennessee Titans, who ironically will have a joint practice with the Patriots this summer.

The Texans, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets (all AFC teams) have been rumored at some point to be a possibility as Hopkins' next team.

The 2013 first-round pick played in a career-low nine contests last season, largely due to his six-game PED suspension. Hopkins was still productive though, collecting 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns while posting a solid 66.7% catch percentage.

Third-year quarterback Mac Jones could use a player with the resumé of Hopkins, as New England's projected wide receiver depth chart doesn't match up well with the rest of the AFC East. The current starting wideouts include newcomer JuJu Smith-Schuster, the oft-injured DeVante Parker and 22-year-old Tyquan Thornton.