Although Bill Belichick didn't sound too keen to discuss the chances of DeAndre Hopkins joining the New England Patriots, his secret message to him made it clear that he's a huge fan.
Hopkins is reportedly set to visit with the Patriots this week after leaving Tennessee without a deal, having been with the Titans this past weekend. Hopkins was shockingly released by the Arizona Cardinals last month, with the team somehow not able to find a trade partner for him - making the superstar wide receiver an unrestricted free agent and able to join wherever he likes.
A number of teams are said to be interested in signing Hopkins this offseason, with the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns seen as likely landing spots. But it is only the Titans and Patriots who will have discussed a deal at their facility with Hopkins - with the latter team in serious need of signing him.
The Patriots are very thin at wide receiver, with JuJu Smith-Schuster the only proven quality player on the roster at the position.
It was reported by ESPN last week that Hopkins is set to visit the Patriots, which would come after first visiting the Titans, before Belichick did not seem overly keen on him signing. But back in December, Belichick praised Hopkins in a secret conversation which was picked up by the film crew.
The head coach said: "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." That interaction came after Hopkins missed the first six weeks of the season, but went on to have 717 yards and 64 catches in just nine games.
Hopkins looks to have had a u-turn on his decision to meet with the Patriots, after he seemed to have himself out of joining the team in an interview this off-season.
When speaking with CBS Sports, he was asked to use body language to answer on whether or not he'd like to be traded to that team. Hopkins looked away in displeasure when asked about joining the New York Jets or Patriots, before nodding and smiling on potentially playing for the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs.
Hopkins will command a big contract for whoever he joins - likely asking for more than the $15million that Odell Beckham Jr received when he signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
