Georgia Tech Hires DeAndre Hopkins as Coach, But He Says His NFL Career Isn’t Over

DeAndre Hopkins is now a college football coach, but he wants everyone to know that does not mean his playing days are finished. Georgia Tech announced the hiring of the five-time All-Pro receiver as an assistant wide receivers coach, and Hopkins moved quickly to address the obvious question about his NFL future.

On X, Hopkins posted a message that left little room for interpretation:

“I Haven’t retired from the NFL… But if you’re a WR and you want to be great, come to Georgia Tech football.”

What Hopkins Will Do at Georgia Tech

Hopkins, 34, will work directly with the program’s pass-catchers under head coach Brent Key. The role is his first full-time coaching position, coming after a brief guest-coach stint with the New England Patriots during training camp earlier this summer, per the Yahoo Sports report on the hire.

Hopkins spent the 2025 NFL season with the Baltimore Ravens, finishing with 330 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 17 games. After becoming a free agent, he did not sign with a team this offseason and now finds himself on a college sideline while NFL training camps are underway.

Key was direct about what Hopkins brings beyond name recognition, saying in a statement: “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 Maintains He’s Still Available to NFL Teams

The coaching hire raised immediate questions about whether Hopkins was effectively stepping away from playing. His response on X was quick and pointed: he is not retiring.

That concurs with comments he made in June on SiriusXM NFL Radio, where he described himself as a utility player heading into what would be his 14th season: “I know in my position, I’m a utility guy. I’m a special situation kind of guy. I can go out there and beat anybody 1-on-1 at any time… Going into Year 14, I would love to play for a competitor, if that time came.”

Georgia Tech’s regular season wraps with a rivalry game against Georgia on November 28th, which leaves a window for Hopkins to join an NFL roster ahead of the stretch run if the right opportunity comes along.

What the Georgia Tech Role Means for His NFL Future

Teams looking to add a veteran receiver during training camp are unlikely to wait on Hopkins while he is working a college sideline. Hopkins has also been clear that he will not take just any roster spot. He wants to contribute to a contending team.

Georgia Tech’s receiver room is young and largely unproven, which makes Hopkins’s presence valuable for development. Whether an NFL team comes calling before November remains to be seen.

Hopkins is coaching college football and insisting he can still play in the NFL. The Georgia Tech role suits for now, and the NFL door stays cracked open a bit.