Robert Spillane had just wrapped up his conditioning test on Friday when he spotted a familiar, totally unexpected face near the Patriots’ practice field: DeAndre Hopkins. The former Tennessee Titan was right there, working with the Patriots coaching staff to kick off training camp, signaling his search for a post-playing career. Spillane immediately made a beeline, telling reporters, “I immediately ran over there and gave him a big hug.” Talk about a reunion that sets the tone!
A Potential Hall of Famer Bringing Big Brains to the Building
Spillane wasn’t holding back on his praise for Hopkins, calling him, “A potential Hall of Fame guy. A guy that played the game the right way. I’m sure he’ll do great as a coach.” You can’t argue with that resume. Hopkins is easily one of the best NFL receivers of this generation, with a history of making big plays wherever he’s been. He spent time with Mike Vrabel in Houston before lighting it up for the Titans in 2023, hauling in a massive 75 passes for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns in just that season alone. Even after Vrabel’s departure, Hopkins stuck with the Titans for six games in 2024. Before his Tennessee stint, he had a three-season run with the Arizona Cardinals, even going head-to-head with the Patriots back in 2022. Now, he’s back in New England, but in a whole new role, spending his time directly with the offensive coaches, specifically assisting the wide receivers and the personnel department.
“Unbelievable Player” Bringing His Expertise to Every Drill
It’s clear this isn’t just some ceremonial gig. Patriots captain and cornerback Marcus Jones knows exactly what Hopkins brings to the table, saying, “Unbelievable player. The expertise when it comes down to it is much respected for everyone in the DB role. So having him in the building means a lot.” Think about it: a guy who spent years burning corners, now teaching the nuances of route running? That’s invaluable. Jones highlighted Hopkins’s “expertise of knowing what progression he is in the route. Guys that are veterans know if they’re the first progression or third progression.” He also called out Hopkins’ incredible “late hands” and “impeccable” ball skills. Tight end Hunter Henry echoed that sentiment, adding, “Any time you have a valuable asset like that in the room is a blessing for everybody. Some guy that’s played at the highest level. One of the best receivers of the past decade, for sure. So much production, we could pick his brain on a lot of different things, and it’ll be cool to have a guy like that.” Players on both sides of the ball are hyped to soak up his knowledge. As Jones put it, “That’s a guy that whenever we have questions we can actually ask him and learn about the knowledge about how guys think about running routes and being a receiver.”
Training camp is just kicking off, and with a mind like DeAndre Hopkins now shaping the offensive talent, every rep, every drill, just got a whole lot more interesting for New England. It’s going to be wild to see what kind of impact he has as the Patriots push through their early season work.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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