Jones: Patriots would 'love to have' Hopkins

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones likes the idea of potentially teaming up with free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

"DeAndre is a great player. ... We'd love to have him," Jones said Monday, according to Mike Kadlick of WEEI.

Hopkins is reportedly expected to visit the Patriots this week. Head coach Bill Belichick confirmed that the team has talked to the star receiver, though Belichick didn't say when Hopkins might visit.

"We talked to him. Working through it," Belichick said Monday, according to The Athletic.

The Arizona Cardinals recently released Hopkins after three seasons. The 31-year-old, who's earned five Pro Bowl berths, has been linked to several teams since becoming a free agent. He also met with the Tennessee Titans.

Hopkins put on a show in his first year in Arizona in 2020, racking up 1,407 yards and six touchdowns on 115 receptions. However, he couldn't replicate those numbers over the last two years. Hopkins has caught 106 passes for 1,289 yards and 11 touchdowns while missing 15 games since 2021.

The Patriots - who ranked 20th in passing yards in 2022 - have been looking for help at wide receiver. New England drafted Tyquan Thornton in the second round last year and signed free agent JuJu Smith-Schuster this offseason, adding to a depth chart that features DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne, among others.

"We do have a great group of guys," Jones said of his receiving room. He added, "I've been really pleased with the playmakers that we have on our team. ... We have a good group. I definitely feel like we just need to keep growing together, and whoever is in that room, we're going to try and dominate together."