Where Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins probably thinks it’s smart to continue saying he wants to play with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, to the rest of the world, it’s just starting to come off as super thirsty.
Attending the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, 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, is 33 years old and had just 22 receptions for 330 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Ravens in 2025.
“I think Joe is one of the best,” Hopkins said on Saturday in response to a question about who 1 quarterback is he hasn’t played with who he would love to play with. “I love his game, his toughness. He took his team to a Super Bowl early in his career and I feel like he can get back there with a little bit of help.”
It’s not the 1st time Hopkins has openly declared his love for Burrow.
Offseason of Emotional Clarity for DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins seems to have been taking this offseason to work through his feelings and alternately express his love for Burrow and the Bengals.
In March, that came in the form of a tweet that seemed to tease his next team after he caught a touchdown pass from Burrow in an exhibition flag football game.
Hopkins quote-tweeted a video of his catch with an eyes-over-hands emoji … followed by an emoji of the Bengals mascot. Who said subtlety was dead?
DeAndre Hopkins Complained About Ravens’ Offense
Hopkins thought he was going to be a WR2 or WR3 when he signed with Baltimore, and that he was going to be 1 of the missing pieces on a Super Bowl contender when he signed a 1-year, $5 million contract.
At the end of the 2025 season, Hopkins had barely seen the ball as the Ravens finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs. The 5-time NFL All-Pro and 5-time Pro Bowler finally made his true feelings known on March 16.
Hopkins was responding to a post from Ravens reporter Nic Mason, who shared a video of Hopkins’ 1-handed touchdown catch in the regular-season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
“If the Ravens are in the market for a veteran wide receiver, which I suspect they are, they should do a deal to bring DeAndre Hopkins back to Baltimore!” Mason wrote. “What a catch this was!”
Hopkins took a flamethrower to Baltimore’s offense in his response.
“How many times after this do you think I was used in the red zone?” Hopkins wrote on his official X account. “When targeted I’m still one of the most productive but never complained with my snaps & never will. Facts!”
While Hopkins may have burned bridges at this point in Baltimore, there’s a good chance another team wants him as a budget, free agent option.
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.
Ravens WR Won’t Shut Up About Love for Bengals QB Joe Burrow