Steelers May Get Lucky in DeAndre Hopkins Race

The Pittsburgh Steelers will avoid DeAndre Hopkins this free agency cycle.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers used all their luck to avoid DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, as the free agent is expected to make other teams' lives miserable - not theirs. 

The Steelers will avoid DeAndre Hopkins joining the Cleveland Browns, and possibly the AFC North, as Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot reports the team is not interested in signing the All-Pro receiver. 

Hopkins's former teammate with the Houston Texans, Deshaun Watson, was asked about rejoining his former wideout in Cleveland. He was all in on bringing in his former weapon but acknowledged he'd leave it up to the front office to decide on the move. 

"Of course we would love to have him," Watson told local reporters last week. "He knows that we had a lot of connections, but that’s kind of out of my range of kind of coordinating things. So all I can do is make a call and see what happens, and let [Andrew Berry] do the rest."

Now, Cabot is reporting the team will not make the move for Hopkins, and aren't expected to even invite him in for a free agency visit to discuss a possible contract. 

"Browns are happy with their current receiving corps, and aren’t looking to add a big-name, high-priced player such as Hopkins at this time," Cabot writes. "It’s currently unlikely to happen, but he’s also in the never-say-never category."

She also claimed in a tweet that it's considered a "longshot" of a signing. 

Updated: Deshaun Watson still wants DeAndre Hopkins, but it's a longshot for now. No FA visit to the #Browns is scheduled, and they're not looking to add a big-name receiver https://t.co/DhqSJEG7eF

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) June 7, 2023

The Steelers may still have the Baltimore Ravens to worry about in the Hopkins race, but the current odds at Bookies.com don't have any AFC North teams in their top 10. 

At one point, both AFC North teams were two favorites to land Hopkins.

Hopkins could still find his way to the AFC with a team like the Buffalo Bills,. Tennessee Titans or New England Patriots. He's visited the Titans and Pats to this point.

And as for the Steelers considering the move, they (probably) aren't on the market for another wide receiver, especially one that will take reps away from a developing group in Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Calvin Austin. 

Make sure you bookmark All Steelers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

Former Steelers Player Hopes to Re-Sign With Team

Steelers a Favorite to Land Chase Young

New Name Has Emerged in Steelers CB Competition

Bold Prediction Steelers Should Be Thrilled About

Dalvin Cook Release Doesn't Help Najee Harris

Steelers' Joey Porter Jr., Cory Trice Already Clicking

• Subscribe to the All Steelers YouTube Channel