DeAndre Hopkins has concluded a week-long coaching experiment with the New England Patriots, head coach Mike Vrabel announced Thursday.
Hopkins joined the Patriots' coaching and personnel staff for the past week as a trial run to explore a potential future in coaching. Vrabel, who was Hopkins' head coach for one season with the Tennessee Titans in 2023, described the experience as valuable for all involved.
"It was a great experience for all of us," Vrabel told reporters. "Hop’s not here, but it was a great experience for all of us. That’s what we try to do when we have some of these unique situations where a player or former player or whatever it might be wants to come in and help and learn and they love football, and I think it was good for everybody."
Hopkins and Vrabel also have a history together with the Houston Texans, where Vrabel served as a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator from 2014 to 2017, during which Hopkins was a star wide receiver.
The 34-year-old Hopkins remains an unsigned free agent as NFL training camps open. He played 13 seasons with the Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens. Despite a decline in production over his last two seasons, with 22 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns for the Ravens in the previous year, Hopkins has expressed a desire to continue playing for a contending team in his 14th NFL season.
Hopkins is a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time First Team All-Pro. He ranks 17th in NFL history with 1,006 receptions, 18th with 13,295 receiving yards, and 19th with 85 receiving touchdowns.