DeAndre Hopkins In Town to Potentially Join the Staff

[Ian]

Interesting stuff from today's press conference:

TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel Pre-Training Camp Press Conference 7/24 | PatsFans.com

Here's the full transcript of what New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had to say during his press conference on July 24, 2026 ahead of the start of the 2026 Patriots Training Camp at Gillette Stadium

www.patsfans.com

"The way that you play the game at receiver, there's a lot of different skill sets, a lot of different play styles. DeAndre Hopkins is here with us kind of in a 'just to kind of check things out' as far as what he wants to do as far as coaching. And you'll see him on the field, and whether that's personnel .... And so I use him as an example because he wasn't the fastest receiver, but he had an unbelievable play style and a play strength and a route craft that allowed him to succeed."

On how the situation with Hopkins came about:

"He asked if he could come hang out for a couple of days and be around the coaches and be around the personnel department. And I called the league and made sure that that was going to be okay. And then I invited him back, and that's where he's been the last couple of days, and he'll be here for the next couple of days."

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I mean…can’t hurt

 

[varjao]

Did he retire?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Did he retire?

Not officially, but he's not signed anywhere (I assume that's why he had to clear it with the league).

In any case, it's clear that he came here to work with Chism.

 

[patfanken]

Hopkins was a great example of how a WR can succeed without having outstanding speed and quickness. IF he is a good teacher, he will add value to the coaching staff and the WR group

 

[Give Kraft A Hand]

did he stop at Hertz at Logan by chance?

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Oh no! Are the Patriots considering firing me???

 

[n1997y]

Hopkins was a great example of how a WR can succeed without having outstanding speed and quickness. IF he is a good teacher, he will add value to the coaching staff and the WR group

Agreed.

Also wondering, if he hangs around as a coaching intern and then a WR gets hurt and goes on IR mid season could he sign and play as their replacement?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Agreed.

Also wondering, if he hangs around as a coaching intern and then a WR gets hurt and goes on IR mid season could he sign and play as their replacement?

The league has been loathe to let coaches become players in recent years.

 

[Pape]

Oh no! Are the Patriots considering firing me???

Huh?

Never

 

[patfanken]

Agreed.

Also wondering, if he hangs around as a coaching intern and then a WR gets hurt and goes on IR mid season could he sign and play as their replacement?

Going into this year he has been quoted that he still felt he had a lot of football left in him or something to that effect. So yes, it would seem to be a natural fit that he learns the system, demonstrates...a lot, and if one or 2 guys go down at the same time you have a guy ready to go.

Who would you'd rather see out there, Chism or Hopkins?

 

[Tunescribe]

Player-coach in the wings?

 

[n1997y]

Going into this year he has been quoted that he still felt he had a lot of football left in him or something to that effect. So yes, it would seem to be a natural fit that he learns the system, demonstrates...a lot, and if one or 2 guys go down at the same time you have a guy ready to go.

Who would you'd rather see out there, Chism or Hopkins?

Is there a question?

If Reiss is correct projecting Chism makes the roster I’d just sign Hopkins now and put Chisholm on the ps.

How would you like to see Maye dropping back in a set with 5 wides:
AJBrown, Doubs, Hopkins, Boutte, and Hollins
or
AJBrown, Doubs, Hopkins, Wiiliams, and Hollins ?

Do you think Josh could have fun with that?

 

[mayoclinic]

In any case, it's clear that he came here to work with Chism.

If any part of DeAndre Hopkins wipes off on ECIII, it will be a huge success.

 

[ViperGTS]

I found this interesting when I heard about it earlier today. He always seemed to be pretty damn smart so I'd use him in a heartbeat. Then again if he spends time here then goes to a Pats rival...I dunno how that works really.

 

[XLIX]

Not officially, but he's not signed anywhere (I assume that's why he had to clear it with the league).

They may have been worried about whether or not he takes a roster position by being here without being officially retired.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

They may have been worried about whether or not he takes a roster position by being here without being officially retired.

He'd have to sign a contract for that; I presume it had something to do with whether he was allowed to spend so much time without doing so.

 

[n1997y]

He'd have to sign a contract for that; I presume it had something to do with whether he was allowed to spend so much time without doing so.

I’m sure he had to sign a contract for what he’s doing now, but it would be a coaches contract not a players contract. Because he’s not yet officially retired that would pose questions that the league would have to answer.