DeAndre Hopkins with Mike Vrabel, Patriots as he explores post-playing coaching role

Three-time first-team All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins, one of the best wide receivers of his generation, is spending the start of training camp with the New England Patriots in a coaching capacity as he explores his options after playing in the NFL for the last 13 years.

Coach Mike Vrabel said that Hopkins isn’t with the Patriots to try out as a wide receiver but in an advisory role as the 34-year-old contemplates what to do if he formally retires from the league.

“He has got coaching gear on, and he is helping out the offensive coaches and meeting with our personnel guys,” Vrabel said. “He loves football. People that love football and that played the game for the length of time that he did — he wants to try to explore the opportunities and what that looks like after his playing career is over.”

Vrabel said Hopkins joined the Patriots’ coaching staff this week and has worked with the player personnel department as well. Vrabel and Hopkins have had a relationship for more than a decade. Vrabel was the Houston Texans’ defensive coordinator from 2014 to 2017 when Hopkins was a wide receiver there, then Hopkins signed with Vrabel’s Tennessee Titans when he was a free agent in 2023.

“He asked if he could come hang out for a couple days,” Vrabel said. “I called the league and made sure that was going to be OK. Then I invited him back. That’s where he’s been the last couple days, and he’ll be here for the next couple days.”

Patriots players reported for training camp Friday and underwent conditioning tests in the morning. That’s where a few players spotted Hopkins for the first time, standing on the sideline watching the tests.

Linebacker Robert Spillane was one of those who spotted Hopkins.

“I ran over there and gave him a big hug,” Spillane said. “A potential Hall of Fame guy. … I’m sure he’ll do great as a coach.”

Hopkins played 17 games with the Baltimore Ravens last season, posting 330 receiving yards with a pair of touchdowns. Over the course of his career, he has 1,006 receptions for 13,295 yards and 85 touchdowns.

“I’m sure he’s still got a lot left in the tank,” Spillane said, “but that’s for him to decide.”

Vrabel lauded the work that wide receivers coach Todd Downing did last year. The Patriots were fortunate this offseason to retain nearly the same coaching staff from their Super Bowl run last season.

But Hopkins brings a different level of prominence that has already caught the attention of Patriots players.

“Any time you have a valuable asset like that in the room is a blessing for everybody,” tight end Hunter Henry said. “One of the best receivers of the past decade, for sure. We could pick his brain on a lot of things, and it’ll be cool to have a guy like that.”