NFL WR DeAndre Hopkins wants to return to AFC North, but not the Baltimore Ravens
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The NFL offseason will transition to minicamps in June, followed by training camps in July. However, several free agents still remain on the market as they decide their next moves for 2026.
Former All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is one of those players. After spending the 2025 season with the Baltimore Ravens, he remains unsigned.
Hopkins has expressed interest in returning to the AFC North in 2026, though not necessarily with the Ravens. Instead, he appears eager to join the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Reports indicate that Hopkins wants to team up with quarterback Joe Burrow. While he may no longer be at his peak, Hopkins still provides reliable production as a pass catcher. Dec 14, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Deandre Hopkins (10) runs after a catch as Cincinnati Bengals inside linebacker Oren Burks (42) and cornerback DJ Turner II (20) make the tackle during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
If Hopkins accepts a significant pay cut to join Cincinnati, he would line up alongside Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, forming one of the league’s most dangerous receiving corps.
That group would complement an already solid depth chart that includes Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones. If this scenario materializes, the Bengals could quickly re-enter Super Bowl contention.
Cincinnati has missed the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, largely due to Joe Burrow’s health and inconsistent defensive performance.
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This offseason, the Bengals have taken steps to address those issues, including trading for All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
If the defensive line improves and the secondary stabilizes, the unit could take a significant step forward compared to recent seasons.
Add Hopkins to the offense, and the Bengals could become a serious force in the AFC North. The key question remains whether the organization has mutual interest.
If so, Hopkins would need to consider a team-friendly deal, as the Bengals currently rank among the lowest in available salary cap space.
Still, for a player of Hopkins’ caliber, Cincinnati could find creative ways to make a deal work.
