Tiger fans, buckle up. We could be on the verge of an NFL reunion that would make every Clemson heart pound—one that could send shockwaves through the entire football world.
DeAndre Hopkins—an all-time Clemson legend and a name every Tiger fan holds dear—is officially a free agent. For 13 unforgettable seasons, Nuk has hauled in passes from just about every quarterback you can name, building a Hall of Fame resume in the process. But when Sports Illustrated asked our guy if there’s one elite QB he still dreams of teaming up with before calling it a career, his answer was pure gold.
No hesitation. Nuk set his sights straight on Cincinnati’s franchise quarterback.
“I gotta go with Joe Burrow. I think Joe is one of the best. I love his game, his toughness,” Hopkins said. “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.”
.@DeAndreHopkins says he'd like to play with Joe Burrow 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aEJ5mXQMQv
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 2, 2026
A Lethal Tiger Tandem in the Queen City
Just imagine it, Tiger Nation: Hopkins in Cincinnati. Not only would Nuk get to catch passes from a top-tier quarterback, but he’d be lining up alongside another Clemson great—Tee Higgins. That’s two of the most electrifying receivers in Clemson history, side by side, ready to light up the NFL.
Picture it: two of the most dominant pass-catchers ever to wear the Paw, now terrorizing NFL defenses together. CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani even broke down why Cincinnati is the perfect fit for both the Bengals and our legendary Tiger.
“The Bengals would be a pretty comfortable landing spot for Hopkins,” Dajani wrote. “Burrow does have two of the best wide receivers in the NFL with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but no legitimate third option. Plus, Higgins has dealt with injuries over the past few years, missing 12 total games in the last three seasons. Hopkins has spent the past two years with AFC contenders in the Kansas Chiefs and Baltimore Hopkins showed the world he’s still got that Tiger fire in 2025 with the Ravens, snagging 22 catches for 330 yards and two scores across 17 games. He averaged a blistering 15.0 yards per grab—almost matching his career-best from 2014. That’s vintage Nuk, stretching the field and proving he’s still a nightmare for defenses.
While the Bengals are the dream, but the Nuk’s got plenty of suitors. Dajani lists the Bills, Rams, Vikings, Cowboys, and even a possible fairytale return to Houston as teams watching our Clemson legend closely.s Left in the Tank
Don’t even think about counting Nuk out. This future Hall of Famer made it crystal clear: he’s not hanging up his cleats yet. He’s got plenty left in the tank and plans to keep making life miserable for defensive backs for at least another season.
“I love this game. I know I can keep playing this game,” he said. “I know I can go out and beat what teams call their No. 1 DB, as you guys saw the first game of the year. The first catch, first touchdown that I had was against one of the highest-paid DBs in the game [Bills’ Christian Benford]. So, for myself, I know what I can do, and I know I’ve still got some years left.”
Since the Texans called his name at No. 27 in the 2013 NFL Draft, Hopkins has built a career that belongs in the same breath as the all-time greats. Across 195 games with five different teams, Nuk has piled up 1,006 catches, 13,295 yards, and 85 touchdowns—numbers that make every Tiger proud.
The only thing missing from his flawless resume is a ring. Hopkins made it to the big stage in February 2025, playing for the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, but Kansas City fell short to the Eagles in a 40-22 loss. He remains fiercely determined to finish the job.
“But who knows, man. I definitely want to play. I know I want to play one more year for sure. … I enjoy the game, and I embrace everything that comes with it.”
No matter where Nuk suits up next—whether it’s with Higgins in Cincinnati or another contender—one thing’s for sure: DeAndre Hopkins is about to remind the entire NFL why Clemson is, and always will be, Wide Receiver U.
Add us as a preferred source on Google