15 June 2023 , 22:05
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NFL free agent Wide Receiver DeAndre Hopkins has further fuelled speculation he is about to sign with the New England Patriots, after posting a picture of himself inside the locker room.
Hopkins and the Patriots are in the middle of a multi-day visit - where some suggest both sides are hoping to reach a deal for the player to join the team officially. The Arizona Cardinals released Hopkins in May.
To make the deal happen, Hopkins's salary plus incentives could cost the Patriots anywhere from around $12-13 million (£9.39m - (£10.17m). However, reports indicate that the 31-year-old wideout could price himself out of the market at that price point.
The five-time All-Pro WR previously met with the Tenneesee Titans just days before visiting New England. Hopkins took to social media to show himself in the car and on the ground in Nashville. Further reports have indicated that the Titans have officially offered Hopkins to join the team, with no additional information on his decision.
Hopkins and the Patriots are optimistic that a deal will be reached during the visit, further indicating his desire to play for Coach Bill Belichick. Patriots QB Mac Jones has already shared that he would love to add Hopkins to the new-look Patriots offense.
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"I think DeAndre's a great player. I mean, you watch his film from college all the way through the NFL. He's done a great job. So obviously, we'd love to have him," Jones said on media day. "But we do have a great group of guys, and we just know that we want to win, and I know that all the guys feel the same way."
"Been really pleased with the playmakers we have on our team," he said. "We've come out here and really bought into this system and that will really show in training camp and preseason. It's sometimes hard to show that out here, but I've been really pleased with the tight ends, running backs, and all the receivers. The young and old guys, like DP (DeVante Parker) and everybody. We have a good group, and we definitely feel like we just need to keep growing together. And whoever's in that room, we'll try and dominate together."
Mac Jones speaks about DeAndre Hopkins.Coach Belichick also spoke about the star receiver joining the team, stating that he is unsure if the team will be able to land the services of Hopkins. Regardless, the Patriots will head into next season featuring Jones and the addition of WR Smith-Schuster to a three-year contract.
During his last three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Hopkins racked up 221 receptions for 2,696 yards and 17 touchdowns. Hopkins also holds records with the Houston Texans for receiving yards in a single postseason with 208, receptions in a season with 115, and touchdowns with 13.
During his last season in Arizona, the NFL announced the suspension of Hopkins for violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy, missing the season's first six games. However, he was eligible to participate in all preseason practices and competitions leading up to week one.
Two teams battling it out for the signature of Hopkins shows that while his numbers haven't been the same since the last Pro Bowl season in 2020, the veteran receiver has enough left in the tank to provide a major boost for a title contender. One unknown, however, is how much Hopkins thinks he is worth in today's market.
"A one-year, $10 million contract worth up to $12 million to $13 million might be a more reasonable target for Hopkins," wrote ESPN's NFL insider.