Bill Belichick's message to DeAndre Hopkins speaks volumes in free agency talks

16 March 2023 , 19:04

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Bill Belichick was caught telling Hopkins how much he like his game when the Patriots faced the Cardinals in December 2022. (Image: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is attracting interest from NFL teams across the league with the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys among the franchises interested in a trade.

The Patriots appear to be firmly in the market for a player in Hopkins’ position and were even reported to be one of the outfits in attendance at Odell Beckham Jr’s recent open workout. But footage from the Cardinals' December clash with the Patriots may be an indication of where coach Bill Belichick’s heart really lies.

Thanks to HBO’s "Hard Knocks" documenting the Cardinals mid-season, Belichick can be heard praising Hopkins' game prior to kick off. He said: "I’m glad we only have to play you every four years, man. What a career you’re having.

"You missed half the season, you’re still going to lead the league in receiving." Hopkins replied: “You know I do my job, man. Trying to get better."

Hopkins missed the first six weeks of the season after violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy but returned in Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints and immediately made an impact catching ten of his 14 targets for 103 yards.

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The 31-year-old finished up the year with 64 catches for 717 yards with three touchdowns and could join new free agent signing JuJu Smith-Schuster in Foxborough. The former Kansas City Chiefs man penned a three-year $25 million (£21 million) deal to join the squad.

DeAndre Hopkins has played 10 seasons for the Texans and Cardinals.

As attractive as a Smith-Schuster/Hopkins combo might be for Patriots fans, some have cast doubts on the six-time Super Bowl champion’s desire to follow through with their interest. Shortly after news of Smith-Schuster’s deal was announced, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer was one who poured cold water on the idea of the Patriots still being after Hopkins.

In fact, much of the talk in recent days has been Hopkins' apparent flirtation with the Cowboys after he spent some time in the city with ex-Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant. More fuel was added to the fire when NFL Network reporter Jane Slater quoted a source in Dallas as saying: “No [Hopkins] talk from us. Guess he’s telling everybody he wants to be a cowboy”

Like the Patriots, the Cowboys are also one of the teams looking at bolstering their offensive unit by potentially adding Beckham Jr, so it’s anyone's guess where any of the available receivers will end up when the music stops and the new season kicks off.

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