Patriots’ Bill Belichick Praised Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins

Bill Belichick, the head coach of the New England Patriots, is not frequently microphoned before games. But since the Arizona Cardinals are the subject of HBO’s Hard Knocks In Season, a brief exchange between Bill Belichick and DeAndre Hopkins was captured on tape.

Patriots’ Bill Belichick Praised Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins

It’s no secret that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is highly respected by New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, but he reminded everyone before their most recent game this past Monday.

Belichick made sure to visit Hopkins prior to the start when the Patriots flew to Glendale, Arizona, to play the Cardinals.

We got to hear what Belichick said to Hopkins thanks to HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” which followed the Cardinals throughout the middle of the season.

Before the game Monday night kicked off, Belichick offered some kind words for Hopkins and joked “I’m glad we only have to play you every four years, man”, to which the all-pro wide receiver replied, “I love you, man.”

“He’s got tremendous ball skills,” Belichick said. “He catches everything, has great hands, and he’s long so he’s never covered. Even if he’s covered, there’s a place where the ball can be that he can get it and still make the catch. Great coordination on the sidelines and he doesn’t really look it, but he’s a strong kid. You see him break tackles. He’s a strong kid in terms of creating separation on routes, yards after contact, you know, tough yards like around the goal line or that extra yard for a first down type of thing.

“He’s a very smart football player, very savvy. But his ball skills are at the very elite level with guys that I’ve seen in this league. He’s up there with whoever the top guys are, the Cris Carters of the world, and guys like that. He’s every bit as good as anybody I’ve ever coached against.”

Patriots supporters who saw the footage were ecstatic, thinking the future Hall of Fame coach was initiating the pursuit of Hopkins over the offseason.

Hopkins has a contract with the Cardinals until the 2024 season, despite the frenzied conjecture on social media.

Hopkins would need to provide final clearance if the Patriots or any other team tried to trade for him under the terms of the deal, which also includes a no-trade clause.

 

 

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