Deshaun Watson answers whether he would want to team up with DeAndre Hopkins

Jun 14, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs a play during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins teamed up for four seasons on the Houston Texans and enjoyed quite a bit of success together. So it’s no surprise that Watson would love to team up with Hopkins again — this time on a different team.

Hopkins is now a free agent after being cut by the Arizona Cardinals. He is exploring his options and may be looking at a few AFC contenders as his next team. And Watson, who is with the Browns, is hoping Hopkins will come to Cleveland.

“Me and D-Hop, we just naturally talk,” Watson said of Hopkins Tuesday from a Browns charity golf event. “We’ve been talking since the Houston days. … He’s always been a brother of mine. … Our connection, our relationship has always been great. … Of course, we would love to have him. He knows that.”

Watson believes the Browns check all the boxes that would interest Hopkins.

Hopkins turns 31 in a week. He had 64 catches for 717 yards and 3 touchdowns in nine games last season with Arizona. He had 42 catches for 572 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2021.

Hopkins has not been playing full seasons nor putting up huge stats the last few years. There are some questions about how much of a difference-maker he remains. But we know what Watson thinks of his ex-teammate. Whether he can convince the Browns’ front office to sign Hopkins — and whether Hopkins would choose Cleveland over other teams — are different questions.