Former Patriots LB throws chilly water on DeAndre Hopkins rumors, suggests staff is ‘cheaping out’

Patriots

Ted Johnson mentioned the Patriots may get DeAndre Hopkins proper now in the event that they paid him what he wished.

The Patriots are reportedly among the many favorites to land DeAndre Hopkins. One report, from ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio, known as the Patriots the “leaders” within the race to land Hopkins.

However, one former Patriots participant is skeptical about Hopkins’s need to play in New England and the Patriots’ willingness to pay what it could take to land the five-time Professional Bowl receiver.

Ted Johnson, who performed linebacker for the Patriots for practically a decade, mentioned he can’t perceive why there are such a lot of speaking heads who assume the Patriots are going to get Hopkins.

“I feel it’s pie within the sky, I actually do,” Johnson mentioned throughout an look on Zolak and Bertrand on 98.5 the Sports activities Hub. “It’s cash, and it’s exhausting for individuals to wrap their arms round this — the concept the Patriots may be cheaping out. I imply, they may get the man proper now in the event that they paid him what he’s searching for, which is anyplace in that $10-12 (million), possibly $15 million, on the most, vary for no less than one yr. My feeling is the Patriots have gone approach beneath that.”

Including Hopkins does make sense from a soccer standpoint. The Patriots may use a go-to No. 1 possibility for Mac Jones to throw to. When wholesome, Hopkins is likely one of the greatest receivers within the league.

However, Hopkins has missed 15 out of 34 regular-season video games over the previous two years because of accidents and a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug coverage. The Patriots have additionally spent a good quantity on receivers already, including Juju Smith-Schuster and re-signing DeVante Parker to offers that common north of $10 million per yr.

Then, there’s the query of whether or not New England is a fascinating vacation spot for Hopkins.

“I don’t assume he sees this as a viable possibility,” Johnson mentioned. “I don’t assume individuals see the Patriots as a win-now staff, so I don’t assume he desires to come back right here. I feel he desires to win. He’s been in Houston, he was traded to the Cardinals. He’s by no means been a free agent earlier than, so I feel he wished to take pleasure in the entire means of being recruited and courted. However I feel he desires to play for a staff he thinks is a legit contender, and I don’t assume gamers view the Patriots as that type of staff.”

The Patriots are 25-25 with no playoff wins since Tom Brady left after the 2019 season.

“So in the end,” Johnson mentioned. “On the value wherein Invoice (Belichick) is — my guess is — providing him makes it type of foolish, I feel, to even speak about.”