The Baltimore Ravens have made their biggest splash of free agency, bringing in DeAndre Hopkins on a one-year deal. Hopkins follows in the footsteps of Odell Beckham Jr., Steve Smith Sr., and Anquan Boldin—veterans who arrived in Baltimore past their prime but still hungry for a Super Bowl.
He could have tried to stay in Kansas City with Patrick Mahomes. He could have chased the biggest payday possible with another team with cap space. Instead, Hopkins made a choice that should have Ravens fans amped—he picked head coach John Harbuagh. He picked Lamar Jackson. He picked Derrick Henry. He picked the Ravens.
And if that doesn’t tell you what he thinks about this team, nothing will.
Hopkins agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, a move that gives Baltimore another proven weapon at wide receiver and solidifies their receiving corps alongside Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. But what really stands out is why Hopkins made this decision. And it's not to fulfill a prophecy five years later.
Hopkins chose Lamar Jackson over Patrick Mahomes
It wasn’t long ago that people swore big-time receivers wouldn’t want to play in Baltimore. The narrative was that Jackson wasn’t the kind of quarterback receivers sought out. That theory is officially dead.
Hopkins had the option to return to the Chiefs and go ring chasing, but he instead chose Jackson. His reasoning says everything:
“What he [Lamar Jackson] stands for and how he led this team and this organization to the playoffs in multiple years, and since he’s been here, just how he’s led any receiver group he’s had. So, I think that played a big part of me coming here for sure.”
Hopkins has followed Jackson’s career since college, watching him nearly take down his alma mater, Clemson, in 2016. Now, at 32, Hopkins is betting that Jackson can get him another shot at the title.
Of course, Henry played a role too. The two were teammates in Tennessee, and their connection helped seal the deal for Baltimore.
“Derrick and I talk throughout the year, and that’s one of my best friends. He keeps it honest, so for me, it was a couple of different things. So, sh–, from the head coach down, I feel like everyone, sh–, they compete. They’re dawgs. I feel like this organization, this team, matches who I am.”
This wasn’t about money. It was about culture. It was about playing with Jackson and Henry. And that's cool because he left a pretty good thing with Mahomes and Kansas City. Hopkins just couldn't pass up the opportunity to play with Jackson.
At this stage of his career, Hopkins isn’t the same threat he once was, but he’s still one of the most reliable targets in the league. His ability to make contested catches, move the chains, and step up in big moments will be invaluable for Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Last season, Hopkins finished with 610 yards and five touchdowns between Tennessee and Kansas City. While those numbers aren’t eye-popping, his role in Baltimore should be more defined. With Flowers and Bateman being the focal points, Hopkins can best be utilized as a sure-hands chain-mover who delivers in clutch moments. Kind of exaclty what this team has been missing.
Hopkins knows this is a prove-it deal. He’s coming to a team that’s built to win right now, with a quarterback playing at an MVP level and an offense more balanced than ever under Monken. If he wanted to stay in Kansas City, he could have. Instead, he chose Baltimore.
That tells you all you need to know.
