FOXBORO \u2014 Three years ago, DeAndre Hopkins took a free-agent visit to New England.<\/p>\n
The Patriots courted Hopkins to be their new No. 1 receiver, but ultimately lost him that spring to the Titans, who were then coached by Mike Vrabel.<\/p>\n
Now, Hopkins is back in Foxboro. Not as a free-agent player, but a potential coach.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Vrabel revealed Hopkins has spent the past few days with the Patriots\u2019 coaching staff and met with the team\u2019s personnel department as he weighs a future on the sidelines. Hopkins, 34, is coming off the worst statistical season of his career. He caught 22 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns in Baltimore, but last month told NFL Media he was still hoping to play for a contender.<\/p>\n
Vrabel reiterated Friday that Hopkins, a three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, was not in New England seeking a spot on the roster.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has got coaching gear on, and he is helping out the offensive coaches and meeting with our personnel guys,\u201d Vrabel said. \u201cI mean, he loves football. People that love football and play the game for the length of time that he did once, I think, (like) to explore the opportunities and what that looks like after his playing career is over.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vrabel added the two first discussed a visit in the offseason.<\/p>\n
\u201cHim and I talked, and he asked if he could come hang out for a couple days and be around the coaches and be around the personnel department,\u201d Vrabel said. \u201cAnd I called the league and made sure that that was going to be OK. And then I invited him back, and that\u2019s where he\u2019s been the last couple days. He\u2019ll be here for the next couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over his 13-year career, Hopkins posted seven 1,000-yard seasons and rapidly developed into one of the best receivers in the league after the Texans selected him late in the first round of the 2013 draft. After being traded from Houston, he played three years in Arizona, then played for the Titans, Chiefs and Ravens in successive years. The Patriots faced Hopkins last season in Baltimore, where he caught four of five targets for 41 yards in a Ravens loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cI use him as an example because he wasn\u2019t the fastest receiver, but he had an unbelievable play style and a play strength and route craft that allowed him to succeed,\u201d Vrabel said.<\/p>\n
Patriots tight end Hunter Henry said Friday he was hoping to pick Hopkins\u2019 brain. Fellow captain Robert Spillane shared his excitement about Hopkins\u2019 visit and said he had already connected with the longtime receiver.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just saw him out there for the first time during the run test, immediately ran over there and gave him a big hug,\u201d Spillane said. \u201cObviously, (he\u2019s) a potential Hall of Fame guy, a guy that has played the game the right way, and I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll do great as a coach.\u201d<\/p>\n
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