One of the all-time Clemson greats, a true Tiger legend in orange and white, is not ready to call it a career just yet.
DeAndre Hopkins, a name every Clemson fan knows by heart, is still on the market as NFL training camps draw near this summer. At 34, the five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro is convinced he’s got plenty left in the tank for any team chasing a championship.
Hopkins hopped on SiriusXM NFL Radio recently and made it crystal clear: his fire for football is still burning as hot as ever.
"Going into Year 14, I would love to play for a competitor..."@DeAndreHopkins on his mindset and approach to free agency at this stage of his career.
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) June 24, 2026
📻 https://t.co/v3G0iz5IH6#NFLFreeAgency | @KirkMorrison pic.twitter.com/gYuXvYVA8k
“As I go into my 14th year, of course, I love playing the game, I still love football. But if nothing happens, life is still good, and I’m looking forward to that next chapter,” Hopkins said.
The Clemson icon is embracing his veteran status, fully aware that his role has changed, but not his affection for the game.
“I still got a lot of ball left, but it’s not a situation that I’m sitting here trying to force, or go out and 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.”
Last season, Hopkins suited up for the Baltimore Ravens after inking a one-year deal in March. In 17 games, he pulled down 22 catches for 330 yards and two scores.
Hopkins proved he still has that Tiger explosiveness, averaging 15.0 yards per catch—just shy of his career-best 15.9 yards per grab from his second year in the league back in 2014.
He may not be the go-to No. 1 option anymore, but Hopkins’ football smarts and physicality still make him a nightmare for defenses when it matters most.
Hopkins made it clear he can still torch defensive backs when the game is on the line.
“I’m a special situation kind of guy. I can go out there and beat anybody one-on-one, anytime. 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. So, I don’t think that’ll change anytime soon.”
For a guy who’s checked every other box in the NFL, Hopkins is laser-focused on one thing: finally bringing home a Super Bowl ring. Since the Houston Texans made him the 27th overall pick in 2013, he’s built a resume that belongs in Canton.
Over 195 career games with the Texans, Cardinals, Titans, Chiefs, and Ravens, Hopkins has piled up 1,006 catches, 13,295 yards, and 85 touchdowns—numbers that speak for themselves.
Hopkins has appeared in one Super Bowl, playing for the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX (February 2025), where he caught two passes for 18 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs’ 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, he wants another shot at the Lombardi Trophy.
“Going into Year 14, I would love to play for a competitor if that time came,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins made it clear he’s not interested in chasing stats or jumping into just any training camp. He’s waiting for the right team with a real shot at a ring.
“But I’m not in no rush to go out regular season and be a regular season superstar. Because for me, I’m not getting a contract extension.”
According to NFL Trade Rumors, several franchises could be in the mix for the former Tiger star, listing the Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, and Cincinnati Bengals as top free-agent fits.
When recently asked by Sports Illustrated if there’s one particular quarterback he’d like to play with that he hasn’t yet, Hopkins named Bengals star Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
Wherever he lands, Tiger Nation will be pulling for one of Clemson's finest to finally capture that elusive Super Bowl ring.
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