The Baltimore Ravens didn’t use veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins correctly in his 1 season with the team in 2025, but as much as Hopkins wants to think it does, that doesn’t make him special. The Ravens didn’t use any part of their offense correctly in 2025. It wasn’t just him.
That reality hasn’t stopped Hopkins from complaining about his role, even though he was signed to be the WR3 option from the jump, and at 34 years old.
Now, he’s still trying to make his case for another team to sign him.
“I know in my position, I’m a utility guy,” Hopkins said during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio on June 24. “I’m a special situation kind of guy. I can go out there and beat anybody one on one at any time, but as of lately, I’ve been a third-down guy. I wasn’t used in the red zone last year. But (on) third down, they’re gonna put D-Hop in, they’re gonna come to me. I don’t think that’ll change anytime soon … going into year 14, I would love to play for a competitor if that time came, but I’m not in no rush to go out and be a regular-season superstar because for me, I’m not getting a contract extension.”
Sharp Football Analysis has Hopkins, a 5-time NFL All-Pro, currently ranked as the No. 6 free agent wide receiver still available.
DeAndre Hopkins Makes Multiple Overtures to Cincy
Hopkins has gone on the record multiple times to say he wants to play for another NFC North Division team in 2026 — specifically the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hopkins quote-tweeted a video of himself catching a touchdown pass from Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in a flag football game in March, using an eyes-over-hands emoji followed by an emoji of the Bengals mascot.
Attending the Kentucky Derby in May, Hopkins once again spoke of his desire to play with Burrow and the Bengals, who haven’t made the playoffs since the 2022 season and already have a pair of elite wide receivers in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Hopkins, who has $144.4 million in career earnings, played for the Ravens on a 1-year, $5 million contract in 2025 and had just 22 receptions for 330 yards and 2 touchdowns in 17 games.
Former Teams Might Actually Be Better Fits
Pro Football Focus put Hopkins on its list of the highest-graded offensive free agent options headed into the 2026 cycle and named his best landing spot not with the Bengals, but with the Tennessee Titans, where he previously played 2 seasons in 2023 and 2024.
Hopkins coming to Tennessee would also add some extra veritas to a locker room that desperately needs it with a franchise quarterback in 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward and a new head coach in Robert Saleh.
“Although the former All-Pro receiver hasn’t seen a full-time role in some time, Hopkins continues to excel as a technician and veteran presence inside the locker room,” PFF’s Mason Cameron wrote. “Entering his age-34 season, Hopkins can still separate at a high level, as his 63.2% separation rate ranks top five among all pass-catchers this season. With Calvin Ridley underperforming during his limited showing, Cam Ward was left with numerous first-year receivers playing key roles. As a result, the Titans’ receiving corps posted the NFL’s fifth-lowest passer rating when targeted (76.3). Bringing Hopkins in to mentor Ward and this young receiver room would pay off. ”
Disgruntled Former Ravens WR Makes Plea for New Team