Mac Jones would be happy to make a certain addition to his wide receiver corps.
In a press conference Monday, the Patriots quarterback said that he would be excited to see DeAndre Hopkins — the All-Pro wideout who was cut by the Cardinals in May — suit up in New England this fall.
“I think that’s definitely a hypothetical, but I think DeAndre is a great player,” Jones said. “You watch his film from college all the way through the NFL, he’s done a great job. So obviously, we’d love to have him.”
Hopkins, 31, is set to visit the Patriots on his free agency tour this week.
Jones added that he’s optimistic about the Patriots’ wide receiver group thus far, noting that he’s “really pleased with the playmakers that we have on our team.”
The third-year QB approached the Hopkins situation with more transparency than head coach Bill Belichick, who bristled when discussing Hopkins’s Patriots visit on Monday, reminding reporters that he’s “not really a travel agent.”
Hopkins, who made the All-Pro team for four consecutive years with Deshaun Watson as his quarterback in Houston, is coming off two subpar seasons in which he dealt with injuries and a six-game PED suspension.
The New England offense could use reinforcements.
Last season, the Patriots finished 26th in total yards gained and ranked 20th in passing yards gained.
Jones, a 24-year-old quarterback, regressed after his All-Pro rookie season in 2021.
The Alabama product threw for 2,997 yards in 14 games started across 2022, adding 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as the Patriots finished 8-9.
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers led the team with 804 receiving yards while running back Rhamondre Stevenson paced the squad with 69 catches.
New England has already moved to bolster its receiver group this offseason, adding former Chiefs receiver Juju Smith-Schuster in free agency.
Smith-Schuster, who won the Super Bowl with Kansas City last season, hasn’t totaled more than 800 yards receiving since his All-Pro campaign in 2018.
Should Hopkins join the Patriots, he would immediately provide the team with more ammunition for their attempt at a return to the playoffs.