DeAndre Hopkins’ coaching tenure with the New England Patriots came and went, seemingly in an instant.
Less than a week after announcing the veteran wide receiver had joined his staff, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel revealed that Hopkins’ time with the club has met its end again.
“It was a great experience,” Vrabel said ahead of Thursday’s practice at Gillette Stadium. “Hop’s not here, but it was a great experience for, I think, all of us.”
Hopkins leaving the Patriots again after a few days was always
the plan.
The 34-year-old originally arrived last week to get an up-close look at the team’s coaching and scouting operations. He was on the field during all four training camp practices before Wednesday’s off-day, assisting the wide receiver group and its position coach, Todd Downing.
“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.”
Whether or not Hopkins will be back with the Patriots in some capacity in the future is not known. Neither is whether the five-time All-Pro wants to continue his active career. A free agent since his contract with the Ravens expired in March, he has not yet officially announced his retirement.
Hopkins originally entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick by the Texans in 2013 and has since appeared in a combined 204 regular season and playoff games. Spending time in Houston, Arizona, Tennessee, Kansas City and Baltimore, he has a total of 1,046 receptions, 13,770 receiving yards and 87 on his résumé.
