DeAndre Hopkins’ brief run with the Patriots is already over.
Mike Vrabel said Thursday that the veteran receiver’s time around the team has ended, just days after Hopkins showed up to get a closer look at how New England operates behind the scenes. Vrabel called the stint worthwhile, saying, “It was a great experience,” and adding, “Hop’s not here, but it was a great experience for, I think, all of us.”
Hopkins spent last week with the Patriots in what was always meant to be a short visit. The 34-year-old was there for all four training camp practices before Wednesday’s off-day, working with the wide receiver group and helping position coach Todd Downing while also observing the team’s coaching and scouting work.
“That’s what we’re trying to do when we have some of these unique situations where a player or former player, whatever it may be, wants to come in and help and learn and they love football,” Vrabel said. “So, I think it was good for everybody.”
What comes next for Hopkins is still unclear. It’s not known whether he’ll return to the Patriots in any role, and it’s also not known if he plans to keep playing. He has been a free agent since his contract with the Ravens expired in March, and he has not officially announced his retirement.
Hopkins entered the league as a first-round pick by the Texans in 2013 and has built a long résumé across Houston, Arizona, Tennessee, Kansas City and Baltimore. In 204 regular-season and playoff games, he has 1,046 catches, 13,770 receiving yards and 87 touchdowns.
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