Hopkins Eyes Coaching
Veteran DeAndre Hopkins Advises Patriots Coaches, Explores Coaching Career During Training Camp Visit
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Key Points
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Vrabel has a long-standing relationship with DeAndre Hopkins dating back to Hopkins' time with the Texans; Vrabel was the Texans' defensive coordinator (2014–2017) when Hopkins played there, and Hopkins later joined Vrabel’s Titans in 2023.
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Hopkins is a highly decorated veteran, including multiple All-Pro selections and Pro Bowls (several sources cite him as a multi-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler), underscoring why he is viewed as a potential future coach given his résumé.
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In 2025 with the Baltimore Ravens, Hopkins posted 22 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns; he has described himself as a 'utility guy' and a 'special situation kind of guy' who would consider playing for a competitor if the time came.
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Hopkins joined the Patriots for a few days in a coaching-advisory capacity, helping out offensive coaches and meeting with the personnel staff as he weighs coaching or other post-playing roles, with the league approving the visit.
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The Patriots’ current wide receiver group at the time included A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas, providing context for Hopkins’ potential coaching role with an established corps.
DeAndre Hopkins, one of the NFL's greatest wide receivers, is spending time at New England Patriots training camp — not as a player, but as a potential coach. NBC Sports reported that Hopkins is working alongside offensive coaches and meeting with the personnel department as he weighs his next move after 13 NFL seasons.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed Hopkins reached out and asked to join camp for a few days. The league approved the visit. Hopkins, 34, is a three-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl receiver who ranks 18th on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list with 13,295 career yards, according to Yahoo Sports.
Hopkins Arrives to Coach, Not to Play
Vrabel was clear about why Hopkins is in camp. He is there to observe, advise, and learn — not to try out as a receiver. Boston Globe reported that Hopkins is helping out offensive coaches and exploring roles in coaching or personnel. There is no competition for a roster spot.
The Patriots' wide receiver room already includes A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas. Hopkins is not pushing any of them for a job. Instead, he is studying how the operation runs from the inside, both on the field and in the front office.
Vrabel and Hopkins Go Way Back
The visit is not random. Vrabel and Hopkins have a long history together. Vrabel served as defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans from 2014 to 2017 — the exact years Hopkins was becoming a star there. Hopkins later joined Vrabel's Tennessee Titans in 2023. The two know each other well.
That relationship made the Patriots a natural landing spot for this kind of visit. MassLive noted that Patriots players have praised Hopkins' presence, calling him a valuable asset. Many teammates already see him as a future coach given his football knowledge and decorated résumé.
A Career That Ended Quietly in Baltimore
Hopkins' playing career wound down with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. He posted just 22 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns — career lows, according to Ravens Wire. After that modest final season, speculation about his post-playing future picked up quickly.
Hopkins has described himself as a 'utility guy' and a 'special situation kind of guy.' He said he would consider playing again for a contender if the moment was right. But the Patriots camp visit suggests his focus has shifted. He appears ready to explore what comes next beyond playing.
Could Hopkins Become the NFL's Next Star Coach?
Hopkins brings rare credentials to any coaching pursuit. His 13,295 career receiving yards, multiple All-Pro nods, and five Pro Bowl selections give him instant credibility in any receiver room. Boston Globe noted he is weighing both coaching and personnel roles, meaning he could end up on the field or in the front office.
The NFL has seen several elite receivers move into coaching in recent years. Hopkins' camp visit gives him a firsthand look at how a staff operates under a proven coach in Vrabel. Whether it leads to a formal role with the Patriots or elsewhere, the groundwork is being laid now.
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