Steelers Are Now Likely To Avoid Facing DeAndre Hopkins In AFC North After Latest Report

The Pittsburgh Steelers are not the only AFC North team that has been especially busy this offseason in terms of adding new players. The Baltimore Ravens have given Lamar Jackson new receivers to throw to in Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, the Cincinnati Bengals have given Joe Burrow a long-term blindside protector in Orlando Brown Jr., and the Cleveland Browns have added key players on the defensive side of the ball in Dalvin Tomlinson and Juan Thornhill.

One free agent who has been linked to both the Ravens and Browns at certain points this offseason is former All-Pro wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins. While the Ravens are most likely out of the running for his services due to the massive one-year, $15 million contract they gave to Beckham Jr., there have been reports that the Browns may still be interested. However, Cleveland fans should not get their hopes up too much as ESPN Browns' reporter, Jake Trotter, believes that the chances of Hopkins landing with the team are slim to none. 

"If Hopkins' market completely dries up, and if he wants to come to Cleveland for $4 million on a one-year deal, the Browns will do that. Short of that, the Browns like their receiving core, they feel good about what they have. This is not something they have ever been interested in," said Trotter. 

How Much Will The Browns Offense Improve In 2023? 

The Browns have invested heavily in their wide receiver depth this offseason, trading for former New York Jets' second-round pick, Elijah Moore and drafting University of Tennessee standout, Cedric Tillman in the third-round of the 2023 NFL Draft. With Amari Cooper and Donavan Peoples-Jones already in the picture, the team has perhaps their most talented collection of pass catchers in quite some time. 

The Browns are fortunate to have one of the best running backs in the entire NFL in Nick Chubb, who has amassed over 6,300 rushing yards since his rookie campaign in 2018 and has made the Pro Bowl each of the last four seasons. Furthermore, their level of quarterback play in 2023 will likely be much improved as Deshaun Watson will be entering his first full offseason as the team's starter after missing the first 11 games in 2022 due to a suspension. All things considered, the Browns have the necessary talent to compete for an AFC North title.

Steelers Should Be Thankful Hopkins Will Steer Clear Of Coming To The AFC North

The 31-year old Hopkins is far from the prime of his career. With that being said, there is no denying that the former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals' receiver still has plenty of high-quality football left in him. He is only two seasons removed from a 2020 campaign in which he racked up over 1,400 yards on 115 receptions. Assuming he is fully healthy, the thought of adding him to either the Ravens or Browns' offense is scary to think about. 

With both AFC North teams out of the Hopkins' sweepstakes, it looks like it will come down to the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs to sign the former All-Pro. 

Hopkins reportedly had meetings with both the Patriots and Titans earlier this offseason. Both teams are in desperate need of a bona-fide number one receiver, so they will likely be willing to make a significant offer to bring him in. Needless to say, Hopkins will dramatically improve the passing attack of whichever team he opts to join. It may be only a matter of weeks before NFL fans find out where he will be playing in 2023.