We are getting set to head into another month and DeAndre Hopkins remains unsigned following his release by the Arizona Cardinals.
The wait for DeAndre Hopkins to make his decision continues, but a few interesting reports have surfaced in the last couple of days.
ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio is reporting that two sleeper teams are now reportedly “lurking” to sign the free-agent wide receiver. Those teams are the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers. His answer came while revealing that the Patriots could sign him as well.
“I believe so. There’s mutual interest,” Paolantonio said. “Bill likes him — Bill Belichick likes DeAndre Hopkins, likes his game. And DeAndre Hopkins likes the situation in New England, knows Bill O’Brien. It’s a perfect fit at a time when they need a wide receiver who can get separation. They need somebody like that.
“But you have to remember, I’m talking to Keyshawn Johnson here and he knows it: When you go to New England, you’re going to the Navy Seals. You’re going to a different kind of culture. DeAndre Hopkins has to understand that when he goes there, he’s going to have to fit in. They’re going to make sure he fits in, but he’s going to have to fit in there with what they do.
“Carolina’s lurking. Cleveland is lurking for sure. But if I’m DeAndre Hopkins, do I want to go to Carolina with a rookie (quarterback)? Do I want to go to Cleveland? Or do I want to go to New England, where I can be coached by Bill Belichick?”
If Hopkins were to sign in Cleveland, it would reunite with quarterback Deshaun Watson, who he played with in Houston.
On Monday, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer sang a different tune as he explained the Cleveland Browns haven’t dipped their toe into the Hopkins sweepstakes yet and “and probably won’t, barring some sort of material change.” He further cited the “comfort level” the Browns have with their current receiving corps as one explanation for the team’s lack of huge interest in Hopkins.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Prior to this reporting, it seemed as though the Tennessee Titans and the Patriots were the only ones currently in the running.
As of now, we only know of the Titans offering a deal to Hopkins, but the fact that he has not accepted means he is looking for something better in free agency.
It’s still very much a waiting game as Hopkins has considered waiting until closer to training camp in late July to make a decision. Hopkins is coming off a season in which he caught 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns.
