FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) 鈥� DeAndre Hopkins will be with the New England Patriots for the start of training camp this week, but the three-time All-Pro receiver and five-time Pro Bowler isn鈥檛 in town for a tryout. He鈥檚 exploring the idea of entering the coaching ranks.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Monday that Hopkins, a current free agent who played under Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans in 2023, will be shadowing various members of the staff when New England opens practice on Tuesday.
鈥淲hen he and I talked, he asked if he could come out and hang out for a couple of days and be around the coaches, be around the personnel department,鈥� Vrabel said. 鈥淎nd I called the league to make sure that would be OK. And then I invited him back, and that鈥檚 where he鈥檚 been the last couple of days. He鈥檒l be here for the next couple of days.鈥�
Hopkins has played 13 NFL seasons, spending last year in Baltimore playing in a mostly reserve role at age 33. Now 34, he is far removed from producing more than 1,300 receiving yards four times in his first eight NFL seasons.
He鈥檚 played for five teams and went unsigned this offseason.
The Patriots made a long-anticipated splash last month when they 鈥� another of Vrabel鈥檚 former players 鈥� adding some heft to quarterback Drake Maye鈥檚 receiving corps.
But Vrabel was clear that the presence of Hopkins at the Patriots鈥� facility in no way constituted a tryout.
鈥淗e is not coaching here and he is helping out the offensive coaches and being with our personnel guys,鈥� Vrabel said. 鈥淗e loves football and people that love football and playing football for the length of time that he did wants I think to explore the opportunities and what that looks like after his playing career is over.鈥�
Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane said he thinks Hopkins would be an excellent coach if that鈥檚 the route he chooses to pursue.
鈥淚 gave him a big hug,鈥� Spillane said. 鈥淥bviously, a potential Hall of Fame guy, a guy that has played the game the right way and, I鈥檓 sure he鈥檒l do great as a coach.鈥�
Gabe Jacas remains unsigned by the Patriots
Second-round draft pick Gabe Jacas was the lone player not to report for training camp on Monday.
Jacas, an edge rusher out of Illinois who the Patriots traded up eight spots to select 55th overall in April, remains the lone second-round pick not to come to an agreement on his first NFL contract.
鈥淐ontinuing to work through the contract. I think that those (negotiations) have been positive, between the club and his representative,” Vrabel said. “Hopefully, we鈥檒l get him in here sooner rather than later. Not going to put a timeline on it or a timeframe. But I鈥檝e spoken to Gabe personally, and again, excited to get him in when he鈥檚 under contract.鈥�
Christian Gonzalez reports amid contract extension talks
Cornerback reported and will be on the field for Tuesday’s initial practice as he continues to seek a long-term contract extension.
After skipping the team鈥檚 voluntary offseason workouts last month, was present for all of New England鈥檚 three-day mandatory minicamp last month.
“He is here, and I would expect him to participate,” Vrabel said.
The coach characterized contract negotiations as 鈥渙ngoing between the club and his agents.鈥�
The team picked up its star cornerback鈥檚 fifth-year option in April, meaning he鈥檒l make just over $18 million in the final year of his rookie deal in 2027. But he wants security beyond that.
Fellow cornerback Marcus Jones said although he hasn’t discussed any details of the situation with Gonzalez, he is confident he wants to remain in New England.
鈥淕onzo loves it here,” Jones said. “I know that for a fact.鈥�
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