DeAndre Hopkins Joins Mike Vrabel, Patriots for Training Camp to Explore Coaching, Scouting

DeAndre Hopkins is teaming up with his former Tennessee Titans head coach, but not as a player.

Per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said the veteran wide receiver is spending training camp with the team to explore a coaching or scouting role.

"He's got coaching gear on, and he's helping out the offensive coaches," Vrabel said.

Hopkins, 34, spent last season with the Baltimore Ravens, where he recorded 22 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns. While he hasn't made a retirement decision yet, he said earlier this summer that he won't "force" his way onto a team.

"I still got a lot ball left," Hopkins said during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio (h/t NFL.com's Nick Shook). "But it's not a situation I'm sitting here trying to force or go out and be the regular-season superstar because that's for the young guys, man. That's for the people that they want to develop and give those contracts for the future.

"I know in my position, I'm a utility guy. I'm a special situation kind of guy. I can go out there and beat anybody one on one at any time, but as of lately, I've been a third-down guy. I wasn't used in the red zone last year. But (on) third down, they're gonna put D-Hop in, they're gonna come to me. I don't think that'll change anytime soon."

Hopkins working with the Patriots' staff perhaps indicates that he's considering retirement, but Vrabel described it as an exploratory situation.

"I mean, he loves football. People that love football and have played the game for the length of time that he did, [he] wants, I think, to explore the opportunities and what that looks like after his playing career is over," Vrabel told reporters.

Perhaps Hopkins will enjoy working with the Patriots' staff enough to go ahead and transition into a coaching role, but if he decides to continue playing, a handful of contenders could likely use the veteran on their roster.