The veteran wide receiver spent this week with the New England Patriots as he explores the idea of entering the coaching ranks, head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters.
Not A Tryout
Vrabel was clear that Hopkins was not in Foxborough for a workout.
"When he and I talked, he asked if he could come out and hang out for a couple of days and be around the coaches, be around the personnel department," Vrabel said. "And I called the league to make sure that would be OK. And then I invited him back, and that's where he's been the last couple of days."
Vrabel added that Hopkins has been shadowing various members of the staff.
#Patriots HC Mike Vrabel says WR DeAndre Hopkins is with the team helping out in a potential coaching/personnel role as he figures out his future and what he wants to do next. pic.twitter.com/OY0t9N5gdp
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 24, 2026
"He is not coaching here and he is helping out the offensive coaches and being with our personnel guys," Vrabel said. "He loves football and people that love football and playing football for the length of time that he did wants, I think, to explore the opportunities and what that looks like after his playing career is over."
The connection makes sense, as Hopkins and Vrabel have a lengthy history dating back four years together in Houston from 2014 to 2017 and a reunion in Tennessee in 2023.
A Natural Transition
The visit is pretty significant given where Hopkins is in his career.
The three-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler is a free agent coming off a 2025 season in Baltimore where his role and production reached the lowest point of his 13-year career, finishing with career lows of 22 receptions and 330 receiving yards.
Testing out the coaching waters could be a fallback option if nothing materializes for him to play in 2026.
Just last month, Hopkins said he believed he still had "a lot of ball left" but would not try to force his way onto a club, and he has been linked to potential playing fits with the Titans, Bills, and others.
Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane came away impressed.
"I gave him a big hug," Spillane said, adding he thinks Hopkins would be an excellent coach if that is the route he chooses.
Whether Hopkins signs on to play one more season or begins his transition to the sideline, his presence at Patriots camp suggests a future in the game is on his mind, one way or another.
