DeAndre Hopkins Says Georgia Tech Job Won’t End NFL Career

Former Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins is back in the headlines, and this one will catch attention from NRG Stadium to Kirby Drive. Hopkins, one of the biggest names from the Texans' 2010s era, said his new assistant role at Georgia Tech does not mean he has retired from the NFL.

That matters here because Hopkins still carries a strong link to Houston football culture. He spent seven seasons with the Texans, built his reputation as one of the league’s top wideouts in Houston, and remains one of the most recognizable former stars tied to the franchise.

DeAndre Hopkins says he still wants to play

Hopkins recently joined Georgia Tech in an assistant capacity, but he made clear that the move is not a retirement announcement. According to the report, he said he is still open to continuing his NFL career. The coaching role appears to be an addition to his football life, not a replacement for it.

That distinction matters because Hopkins entered the league in 2013 and became a five-time Pro Bowl selection during a career that has included stops with the Texans, Cardinals, Titans and Chiefs. His time in Houston remains the stretch most local fans know best. He posted six 1,000-yard seasons with the Texans and developed into the centerpiece of the offense before the franchise traded him in 2020.

Georgia Tech adds a fresh chapter for Hopkins, who starred in college at Clemson before becoming a first-round pick. The new job gives him a foothold in the college game while he weighs his next professional step.

Houston Texans history keeps Hopkins relevant here

For Houston readers, the news lands differently than it might elsewhere. Hopkins is not just another veteran receiver testing his options. He is one of the most productive players the Texans have ever drafted, and his name still carries weight across local NFL conversations.

His last NFL season came after years of steady production, even as injuries and roster changes shifted his role. A player with his résumé staying connected to the game is notable on its own. A player with deep Texans history doing it while saying he is not finished yet adds another layer.

No timeline for a return was included in the report, and no team move was attached to his comments. That leaves his next step unresolved for now. Georgia Tech gets his presence in the building, while the NFL door stays open.

If Hopkins does pursue another roster spot, his status will remain a point of interest in Houston because of what he meant to the Texans during his prime years. Any future signing, workout or public update would likely draw immediate attention across the city’s football circles.

This article is a summary of reporting by Sports Illustrated. Read the full story here.