It started at NFL Honors in 2020, when DeAndre Hopkins dreamt about the possibility of someday forming a super trio with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
Hopkins was coming off his third straight season as a first-team All-Pro, Jackson just won his first MVP, and Henry was fresh off his first NFL rushing yards title.
That was five years ago and ever since, Ravens fans have clamored for Baltimore to get Hopkins. He instead was traded to the Arizona Cardinals that offseason.
Before the 2023 season, Jackson reportedly told the Ravens as he negotiated his contract extension that he wanted Hopkins or Odell Beckham Jr. Jackson got Beckham and Hopkins signed with the Tennessee Titans.
Now, with the Ravens looking for a complementary weapon alongside Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman and Hopkins hitting the market as a 32-year-old free agent, a union was at long last reached.
Hopkins landed in Baltimore Friday as the Ravens' biggest free-agency move yet this offseason in a move that he thought would never actually be a possibility.
Hopkins finished last season with the Kansas City Chiefs and went to his first Super Bowl with them. He said he hadn't thought much about going somewhere else until it became clear that he wouldn't be returning there.
"Once we found out that I wouldn't be back in Kansas City, we made a list, and the Ravens were the first team on my list," Hopkins said.
Partnering with Jackson and Henry was certainly a big part of Hopkins' decision.
Hopkins said he's admired Jackson's game since he watched him nearly knock off his eventual national champion Clemson Tigers in 2016, when Jackson was in the midst of his Heisman Trophy season at Louisville. Jackson threw for 295 yards, ran for 162, and scored three touchdowns that night.
"Lamar was giving them a run for their money, and I was like, 'Who is this guy?'" Hopkins said. "And I think I started following his career after that, because I went to Clemson, and Lamar was a couple of plays away from basically single-handedly beating them, and I was like 'Man, this kid is going to be special.'"
Hopkins said Jackson's football IQ is what impresses him most outside of his running ability. Hopkins was particularly impressed that Jackson threw only four interceptions last season.
"[It's] a big part of my decision," Hopkins said. "Lamar is known for running, but watch [the] film, and I was watching YouTube highlights of this offense to kind of get familiar with it, and he makes some incredible throws, and some of the interceptions as a receiver, you have to take responsibility yourself. Lamar, he knows how to thread the needle, so for me, that was definitely a big part of the decision.
"What he stands for and how he led this team and this organization to the playoffs in multiple years, and since he's been here, just how he's led any receiver group he's had. So, I think that played a big part of me coming here for sure."
Hopkins and Henry were teammates on the Tennessee Titans in 2023. Two veterans still eager to show they have more to give, Henry signed with the Ravens exactly one year, March 14.
"Derrick is like family. Derrick and I have a long relationship," Hopkins said.
Hopkins has been to the playoffs five times in his 12-year career. He's hoping 13 is his lucky number in Baltimore, as he joins another team that has a strong culture, leadership, and talent.
"[Shoot], Coach [John] Harbaugh. Lamar, Derrick," Hopkins said. "Derrick and I talk throughout the year, and that's one of my best friends. He keeps it honest, so for me, it was a couple of different things. From the head coach down, I feel like everyone, they compete, they're dawgs, and I feel like this organization [and] this team matches who I am."
