Former Texans All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins with Patriots in coaching role at training camp

Former Houston Texans All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is at training camp, but not in the role that one would expect.

Hopkins, who remains a free agent entering 2026, was spotted at the New England Patriots' training camp on Friday in a coaching capacity. Patriots head coach and former Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel told reporters that Hopkins will be with the team while looking for his next opportunity in the pros.

“DeAndre Hopkins is here with us kind of in …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,” Vrabel told reporters. “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 route craft that allowed him to succeed.”

Hopkins, who last season played for the Baltimore Ravens, said earlier in the offseason he would like to play for a contender this season as he enters his 14th season. The problem? The 34-year-old pass-catcher seems not to have any suitors for the time being and could be looking toward the next option in his playing career.

DeAndre Hopkins is with the Patriots in a potential coaching role.

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— Savage (@Savageboston) July 24, 2026

“Him 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,” Vrabel told reporters. “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 days, and he’ll be here for the next couple days.”

Last season, Hopkins only recorded 22 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns and had a career-low 39 targets across 17 games. He played in the Super Bowl with Kansas City back in 2024, but after coming up short against the Philadelphia Eagles, the once-top target is still looking for his first Lombardi Trophy before calling it a career.

A five-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro honoree, Hopkins remains one of the best players in the Texans' franchise history. Over his seven seasons with the Texans, the first-round pick out of Clemson caught 632 passes for 8,602 yards and 54 touchdowns.

Hopkins still ranks second all-time in every receiving category for Houston, trailing only Hall of Famer Andre Johnson. There's a case for him to make the NFL Hall of Fame one day, as the career stats are impressive enough to warrant a conversation. As of now, Hopkins ranks 14th all-time in receptions (1,006), 17th in receiving yards (13,295) and is tied for 14th in receiving touchdowns (85).

The Texans begin training camp on July 28.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Former Texans All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins with Patriots in coaching role at training camp