DeAndre Hopkins, one of Clemson’s all-time greats and a free agent wide receiver, is being pegged by CBS Sports as a likely fit for the Buffalo Bills.
Now 34, Hopkins has made it clear he wants to chase a Super Bowl ring in 2026, putting team goals ahead of personal stats or another big contract.
Hopkins talked about how he’s preparing for his 14th NFL season and how his mindset has shifted, speaking recently with SiriusXM.
"As I go into my 14th year, of course, I love playing the game, I still love football," Hopkins said. "I still got a lot of ball left, but it’s not a situation that I’m sitting here trying to force, or be the regular season superstar, because that’s for the young guys, that’s for the people that they want to develop, and get those contracts to look at the future."
He also broke down how his role has changed as he’s gotten older, showing the kind of football IQ that made him a star at Clemson and in the pros.
"So, I know in my position, I’m a utility guy. I’m a special situation kind of guy. I can go out there and beat anybody one-on-one. As of lately, I’ve been a third-down guy. I wasn’t used in the red zone last year, but third down, they can come to me, I don’t think that’ll change anytime soon."
CBS Sports points out that Buffalo is still looking for help at wide receiver, especially after missing out on some big names in recent years. The Bills’ front office could be cautious after the Amari Cooper deal two years ago, but Hopkins would give Josh Allen a proven target. Other possible landing spots include Cincinnati, where he could line up with Ja’Marr Chase and fellow Clemson product Tee Higgins, or Denver, where he’d join Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton. If the contenders pass, Hopkins might have to look at teams like the Dolphins or Raiders just to stay on the field in 2026.
Hopkins suited up for all 17 games last season, but saw his role shrink, finishing with just three starts, 39 targets, 22 catches, 330 yards and two touchdowns – all career lows. His last big year came in 2023 with the Titans, when he topped 1,000 yards for the seventh time in his career.
A first-round pick by Houston back in 2013, Hopkins has bounced around the league since 2020, suiting up for the Cardinals, Titans, Chiefs and Ravens. In 195 career games, the five-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro has piled up 1,006 catches, 13,295 yards and 85 touchdowns.
If Hopkins does land in Buffalo, he’ll be joining a growing Clemson contingent. The Bills grabbed defensive end T.J. Parker in the second round of April’s draft and picked up Cade Denhoff as an undrafted free agent, giving the franchise a strong Tiger presence heading into 2026.
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