The Clemson Tigers have a lot of former standout players in the NFL currently. Very few of them have found as much success as wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has over the years.
Heading into the current offseason, Hopkins is fresh off of a loss in the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs. He will hit the open free agency market and will be looking for the best landing spot for the next chapter of his career.
With that in mind, an intriguing AFC North team has been linked as a potential suitor for him.
Curt Popejoy of Steelers Wire has suggested that the Pittsburgh Steelers could look to sign Hopkins in free agency.
“Despite being 31 years old, Hopkins is still playing good football and is heading into the offseason with a chip on his shoulder. He could be an excellent mentor for George Pickens.”
Hopkins would be an excellent target for the Steelers. He would be able to play the No. 2 wide role behind Pickens. As Popejoy mentioned, he could also take the young wide receiver under his wing and teach him the ways of the NFL.
Throughout his professional career, the former Clemson star has continued to be very productive. He may be getting older, but he’s still more than capable of being a consistent playmaker.
During the 2024 season split between the Chiefs and Tennessee Titans, Hopkins ended up playing in 16 total games, catching 56 passes for 610 yards and five touchdowns. He may not be the elite top wide receiver option that he once was, but he can still help take the Pittsburgh offense to the next level if they choose to sign him.
Mike Tomlin and company are looking to contend for a Super Bowl in 2025. No one knows who the Steelers’ quarterback will end up being, but the three most popular names have been Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, or Aaron Rodgers. All three of those signal callers could use a target like Hopkins.
That being said, Hopkins will have plenty of teams to choose from. There are many different franchises around the league who need wide receiver help.
While there will be many offers on the table for him, Pittsburgh does make sense as a landing spot. Keep an eye on the Steelers for Hopkins when free agency opens up.
