The Houston Texans might be able to cross DeAndre Hopkins off their list of potential options after he joined a new team and in a different capacity than what DeMeco Ryans and Co. would need him for.
Hopkins recently caused a stir. He worked with the New England Patriots as a coaching assistant at the start of training camp.
That ended, but Hopkins is not ready to give up his whistle just yet.
DeAndre Hopkins Expected to Accept Coaching Position
GettyDeAndre Hopkins could be officially joining a new team soon.
Hopkins, a first-round pick by the Texans in 2013, turned 34 in June. He is coming off his 13th season in the NFL.
It appears that Hopkins will not seek a 14th campaign.
“Georgia Tech is currently expected to add former NFL star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins as a member of its offensive staff, sources tell me and @chris_hummer,” CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported on X on July 31.
“Had been in Atlanta this week visiting with the team. Has a longstanding relationship with GT OC George Godsey.”
Nothing is official yet regarding Hopkins’ playing career, but the decision seems quite telling.
“If that’s it for DeAndre Hopkins as a player, I gotta say this is one hell of a career,” All 32’s Brett Kollmann said in a post on X on July 31, adding a graphic of the Texans legend’s NFL accomplishments.
Among other things, Hopkins is a five-time Pro Bowler, three-time First Team All-Pro, and two-time Second Team All-Pro. He also led the league in receptions in 2017.
Patriots’ Mike Vrabel Gets Honest About DeAndre Hopkins
GettyDeAndre Hopkkins made a strong impression on New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel previously noted that Hopkins’ love for the game of football led him to seek out the experience with the Patriots. Hopkins worked with New England’s wideouts during his brief stint, which Vrabel said they cleared with the league office.
Even in that, though, Vrabel may have revealed the truth about Hopkins’ future as a player in the NFL.
Vrabel said he believes it was “a great experience” for “all of us.”
“I think that’s what we try to do when you have some of these unique situations, where a player–or former player, or whatever it may be–wants to come in and help and learn, and they love football,” Vrabel told reporters on July 30. “And so, I think it was good for everybody.”
Hopkins, who played for Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans, has 13,295 yards and 85 touchdowns on 1,006 career receptions.
Hopkins has started 172 of the 195 games he has played in.
DeAndre Hopkins Made Intentions Clear
GettyDeAndre Hopkins made it clear he still wants to play football.
If Hopkins does indeed walk away, it might not exactly be of his own accord, as the Texans great suggested he planned to keep playing.
However, he also acknowledged the reality of his current status.
“As I go into my 14th year, of course, I love playing the game. Of course, I still love football,” Hopkins said on SiriusXM NFL Radio in June. “But look, man, if nothing happens, life is still good, man. And I’m looking forward to that next chapter. But, hey. Like I said, man, I still got a lot of ball left. But it’s not a situation that I’m sitting here trying to force or go out and be the regular-season superstar, because that’s for the young guys, man.
“Obviously, going into year 14, I would love to play for a competitor if that time came, but I’m not in a rush to go out every season and be a regular-season superstar. Because for me, I’m not getting a contract extension.”
Hopkins asserted that, despite how he has been used in recent years, he remains a threat on third downs and in the red zone.
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