Yes, receiver DeAndre Hopkins has taken a coaching job at Georgia Tech. No, he hasn’t closed the door on playing in 2026.
“I haven’t retired from the NFL,” Hopkins posted Saturday on Twitter, via Andy Backstrom of Yahoo Sports. “But if you’re a WR and you want to be great, come to Georgia Tech football.”
Hopkins, 34, is keeping himself busy as he waits for another opportunity.
“DeAndre is one of the greatest receivers of all time, but his value to our program goes far beyond that,” Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key said in the statement announcing Hopkins’s arrival. “He has an exceptional knowledge of what we’re doing on offense due to his long relationship with [offensive coordinator] George Godsey and strong familiarity with the ACC, but, most importantly, he’s a leader of men that I’m very excited for our players to be around, on and off the field.”
Hopkins, who spent time working with the Patriots’ coaching staff early in camp, would prefer not to be around, if that means continuing to play. For now, opportunity hasn’t knocked. Hopkins wants the league to know that, even as he works as a coach, he’s ready to keep playing.
A first-round pick in 2013, Hopkins spent seven seasons with the Texans and three with the Cardinals before splitting 2024 between the Titans and Chiefs. He played for the Ravens in 2025.
He has 1,006 career catches, 13,295 receiving yards, and 85 touchdowns. And he’s clearly interested in adding to those numbers during what would be a 14th NFL season.
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