DeAndre Hopkins snubbed Patrick Mahomes and is now fully dedicated to helping Lamar Jackson win his first Super Bowl title.

When DeAndre Hopkins quietly walked away from the Kansas City Chiefs after a short and underwhelming stint, few expected the ripple effects his next move would create. The five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, who spent less than a full season with Patrick Mahomes and the reigning Super Bowl champions, turned down the opportunity to stay with the NFL’s most dominant dynasty in recent memory. Instead, he chose something far more personal and purpose-driven: joining Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in pursuit of a Super Bowl title that has long eluded both of them.

The move was surprising not just because of its timing but because of the narrative it defied. In an era when players often chase rings by latching onto already-established contenders, Hopkins took the opposite route. He left the most quarterback-friendly offense in football — led by two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes — and aligned himself with a quarterback whose critics still question his passing abilities. The decision wasn’t just bold. It was a statement.

The Kansas City Chapter: A Misfit in a Perfect Machine

Hopkins arrived in Kansas City midway through the 2024 season after being traded by the Tennessee Titans. The move was viewed as another chess piece on the board for Andy Reid and Mahomes. At first glance, it looked like a perfect fit: Mahomes finally had a veteran, reliable receiver to complement Travis Kelce. But what unfolded was something much different.

Hopkins struggled to find a role in Kansas City’s high-tempo, improvisational offense. Mahomes, known for his trust in familiar targets and lightning-quick reads, rarely looked Hopkins’ way on key downs. Hopkins, a master of contested catches and route precision, found himself underutilized in a system that favored speed, timing, and spacing.

Despite finishing the season with modest numbers — 437 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 10 games — it became clear that Hopkins was not going to be a major part of the offense moving forward. During the postseason, he caught just three passes for 29 yards and a touchdown across three games. That lone touchdown came during Super Bowl LIX — a moment Hopkins described as “bittersweet” because of how little he felt like he contributed.

After the Chiefs won their third title in five years, Hopkins didn’t join in on the euphoria. He didn’t attend the parade. He didn’t post celebratory photos on social media. Instead, he issued a cryptic message thanking Chiefs fans and teammates — but pointedly excluded Mahomes and Andy Reid from that note. The message was clear: He was grateful for the opportunity, but he didn’t feel seen.

Why Hopkins Chose Lamar Over Mahomes

At 32 years old, DeAndre Hopkins is well aware his window to win a Super Bowl as a contributing star is closing. He’s made the Pro Bowl, earned All-Pro honors, racked up over 12,000 receiving yards — but he has yet to win a championship in a role that reflects his value. That’s where Lamar Jackson enters the picture.

Hopkins has long been a fan of Jackson. He praised Jackson’s MVP season in 2019 and even posted an old photo in 2020 with Jackson and Derrick Henry, captioned “How many TDs would this trio total?” Fast-forward to 2025, and that hypothetical has become reality — Hopkins, Henry, and Jackson are all wearing purple and black.

In his first press conference as a Raven, Hopkins was asked what attracted him to Baltimore.

“Lamar’s leadership,” he said plainly. “Everywhere he’s been, he’s elevated the people around him. He’s the kind of guy I want to win with, not just for myself but for him. He deserves a ring.”

Hopkins signed a one-year, $6 million deal with Baltimore — far less than what he could’ve made had he remained in Kansas City or signed with other top-tier teams. But for him, this was about fit and respect. In Baltimore, the coaches immediately welcomed his veteran voice. Lamar Jackson called him “one of the smartest receivers I’ve ever worked with” during offseason camp.

There’s a sense that Hopkins didn’t just join the Ravens — he aligned with a mission.

Lamar Jackson: A Quarterback Still Chasing Respect

Despite winning two NFL MVPs, Lamar Jackson continues to fight for the respect Mahomes has already earned. The knock on Jackson has always been the same: great athlete, questionable passer. But that narrative is rapidly crumbling.

In 2024, Jackson threw for over 4,000 yards, added another 900 on the ground, and led the Ravens to a 13-4 regular-season record. Still, a heartbreaking AFC Championship loss kept him from reaching the Super Bowl. Jackson has made it clear — it’s time to finish the job.

Adding Hopkins isn’t just about stats; it’s about trust. Jackson has a receiver who doesn’t need to be open to be effective. Hopkins excels in tight-window throws, back-shoulder fades, and the kind of physical catches that become crucial in playoff football.

The chemistry between them is already turning heads in practice. Jackson reportedly targets Hopkins more than any other receiver during red-zone drills. Hopkins, for his part, said Jackson is “the most accurate quarterback I’ve played with when it counts.”

That’s a subtle jab at both Mahomes and Deshaun Watson — and it reveals just how much confidence Hopkins has in this partnership.

Building Something Bigger in Baltimore

Hopkins is joining a team with not just a great quarterback, but a strong identity. Baltimore has always prided itself on defense and toughness. But now, it has balance. With Hopkins joining a WR group that includes Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and tight end Mark Andrews, the Ravens may boast the deepest offensive arsenal of Jackson’s career.

Add in Derrick Henry in the backfield, and it’s clear: Baltimore is built to win now.

But for Hopkins, this isn’t just about football. This is also about family and legacy. His mother, Sabrina Greenlee, who lost her eyesight after a violent acid attack in 2002, has never seen him play. Hopkins has said repeatedly that winning a Super Bowl for her is his ultimate goal.

“My mom has never seen me play, but she’s always believed in me,” he said. “I want to bring her that trophy. I want her to feel it in her hands. That’s what drives me.”

It’s clear that in Baltimore, Hopkins sees not just a path to victory — but a storybook ending.

Was It a Snub of Mahomes? Or Just a Better Fit?

Some have called Hopkins’ departure from Kansas City a snub of Mahomes. After all, who leaves a generational quarterback and Super Bowl dynasty for a team still trying to get over the hump?

But Hopkins doesn’t see it that way.

“Mahomes is amazing. I have nothing but respect,” he said. “But sometimes, even the best player isn’t the best fit. I need to be somewhere where I’m not just another guy. I want to be part of something.”

In Kansas City, Hopkins was a luxury. In Baltimore, he’s a leader.

He doesn’t need 100 catches. He needs 10 or 12 game-changing plays — the kind that move chains on third-and-9, the kind that break a tie in the fourth quarter of a playoff game. The Ravens brought him in for that reason. Lamar Jackson has trusted him with that role. And Hopkins is ready to deliver.

What Comes Next

The AFC is still loaded. Kansas City, Cincinnati, Buffalo, and now Houston all stand in the Ravens’ way. But the addition of DeAndre Hopkins — even at age 32 — could be the spark that turns Baltimore from contenders into champions.

Hopkins doesn’t just bring hands. He brings belief. He brings hunger. He brings purpose.

He’s betting on Lamar Jackson — not just as a quarterback, but as a winner. And in doing so, he’s putting his legacy on the line. For Jackson, it’s a vote of confidence that could be the final push he needs to silence every doubter.

For the Ravens, it’s a sign that the stars are aligning. And for DeAndre Hopkins, it’s a chance to finally be more than a stat-sheet hero — it’s a chance to be a champion.