Patriots wide receiver reacts to DeAndre Hopkins reported visit

DeAndre Hopkins is the NFL’s hottest free agent following his release from the Arizona Cardinals earlier this week. The former All-Pro wideout has wasted no time in looking for a new home.

After initially scheduling to visit the Tennessee Titans, it was announced that Hopkins was going to be headed to New England for a meeting with the Patriots as well. One Pats wide receiver was particularly thrilled to hear of Hopkins’ potential to land on his squad.

“I’m a fan of D-Hop. I don’t really know the gist of what’s going on, but yeah, he’s a great player,” Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne told reporters this week. “Just what he’s done over his career, watching what he’s done when I was younger. And if anything were to happen, he’s a great leader. … He’s a great player, so whatever will help us win, I’m with.”

Hopkins wasn’t in his usual elite form this past season. Thanks to injuries and suspension, he was able to suit up for just nine games for the Cardinals this past season, hauling in 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns. During his first season with the Cardinals in 2020, Hopkins recorded 115 catches with 1,407 and six scores. 

Prior to his arrival in Arizona, Hopkins spent seven seasons with the Houston Texans and had five 1,000-yard seasons while a part of the organization — and there’s no reason to believe he can’t surpass that mark again in 2023 under the right system.

As of this report, Tennessee is the only other team to this point that got a visit from Hopkins so far. Other teams connected to the three-time All-Pro are Kansas City, Buffalo, Dallas, and Cleveland, amongst others.

Over Patriots QB Mac Jones’ two seasons in New England, the team’s pass-catching talent hasn’t been overwhelmingly flashy. It’s been good enough for the former Alabama star to throw just under 6,800 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, but 24 interceptions and a 16-16 record as a starter is a far cry from the standard set over the past two decades. The addition of Hopkins could provide some much-needed sure-handed insurance and stability out wide for Jones.

Still, Bourne — and likely a few teammates, including Jones — knows how huge locking down Hopkins would be for his squad. Unselfishly, Bourne is willing to share his 35 receptions, 434 receiving yards and one touchdown (last season’s stats) for a chance to play with one of the great receivers of this generation.

“Come on through, man. We need any help we can get to win,” Bourne said.