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Could one of the best wide receivers of his generation hang up his cleats and make a career change?
Wide receiver and three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins was in attendance at the New England Patriots’ training camp Friday morning, where head coach Mike Vrabel revealed that Hopkins is considering becoming a coach or taking on a role on the player staff, according to the team’s website.
Vrabel’s connection to the 34-year-old Hopkins comes from the one year the receiver played for the head coach of the Tennessee Titans in 2023; Vrabel was fired after said season.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Hopkins spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career with the Houston Texans (2013-19) before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals, with whom he played three seasons (2020-22). Arizona released Hopkins after the 2022 season, where he later signed with the Titans, who then traded the veteran receiver to the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2024 season.
Hopkins spent the 2025 season with the Baltimore Ravens, totaling 22 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns. In total, Hopkins ranks 18th in NFL history with 13,295 regular season receiving yards and 19th with 85 regular season touchdowns.
All that said, if Hopkins ultimately joins the Patriots’ roster, he would be part of a wide receiver room that includes offseason pickups AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs, as well as Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas, among others.
The Patriots enter their second season with Vrabel — who won three Super Bowls with the franchise at linebacker (2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons) — as head coach, coming off a 14-3 season that reached Super Bowl LX. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who led the league with a 113.5 passer rating and 72.0% completion percentage, was the runner-up for the 2025 NFL MVP Award.
