Former NFL exec says DeAndre Hopkins made a mistake passing on signing with Patriots

A lot has been made about the Patriots missing out on signing game-changing wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, as it was revealed over the weekend that he would be signing with the Titans for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

But most of what has been said has placed the blame on Bill Belichick specifically since he is the head coach and the general manager and is not known for spending the money needed to bring in top talent.

Although that may be true, a former NFL executive believes Hopkins actually made the wrong choice and should've gone to New England.

While appearing on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Monday, Mike Tannenbaum explained exactly why Hopkins' decision to go to Tennessee was a mistake.

"I think he should’ve signed with the New England Patriots because he would’ve been the best player on a team that could’ve won the AFC East and even more, guys, had he gone there.

So to me, I understand you want to go where the money is, but at the end of the day, as a wide receiver signing in July, guys, if you sign with the best opportunity, that puts you in a great place for March of 2024, where he could’ve been the preeminent wide receiver (available in free agency) — maybe even in front of Odell Beckham Jr.

So, he would’ve been the focal point of a New England Patriot offense that should be better with Bill O’Brien and a great defense. I understand why he followed the money, but the better football opportunity was in New England.”

It's interesting to hear the opposite opinion of what the majority has been saying over the last 48 hours.

It seems fair to conclude that the Patriots are in a better position for Hopkins to succeed, knowing he would automatically be the WR1 and work with an offensive coordinator he is familiar with and was successful with. And it's clear Belichick believes he is still talented enough to be the guy on their team.

At the same time, however, it's also apparent that the Patriots weren't willing to pay too much for a 31-year-old receiver whose market was dictated by the outrageous contract Odell Beckham Jr. received from the Ravens earlier this year.

So was it really the money that made Hopkins go to a team that he's projected to perform worse on?

That may be exactly it, which begs the question, did the Patriots really miss out then?