DeAndre Hopkins has clarified his NFL status with a statement on X, saying he hasn't retired from the league.
DeAndre Hopkins has played 13 NFL seasons, the most recent of which he spent with the Baltimore Ravens. The 34-year-old wide receiver made headlines on Saturday with a post on X, where he wrote, "I haven't retired from the NFL." He added, "But if you're a WR and you want to be great, come to Georgia Tech football."
Hopkins has joined Georgia Tech's coaching staff as the assistant wide receivers coach, a role that doesn't necessarily mean the end of his playing days. The former Clemson star has a long history with the ACC, which could benefit the Yellow Jackets' program.
Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key praised Hopkins, saying, "DeAndre is one of the greatest receivers of all time, but his value to our program goes far beyond that." Key highlighted Hopkins' knowledge of the offense, which he gained from his relationship with offensive coordinator George Godsey. The two overlapped for three seasons in Houston, where Godsey was the quarterbacks coach in 2014 and the offensive coordinator in 2015-16.
Hopkins' NFL career has been marked by numerous achievements, including seven 1,000-yard seasons and 85 touchdown passes. In 2015, he had a standout season with 111 receptions, 1,521 receiving yards, and 11 touchdown catches.
Despite his recent coaching endeavors, Hopkins hasn't ruled out a return to the NFL. He visited the New England Patriots during training camp and has expressed a desire to play for a competitor. "I still got a lot of ball left," he said in June. "But it's not a situation that I'm sitting here trying to force or go out and be the regular-season superstar because that's for the young guys, man."
Hopkins' recent activities suggest he's exploring different paths, but his statement on X leaves the door open for a potential return to the NFL. With his experience and knowledge, he could still make a significant impact in the league.
As for now, Hopkins will be focused on his coaching role at Georgia Tech, where he'll work closely with the team's players and coaching staff.
Source: Yahoo Sports