If you’ve spent any time on NFL Twitter lately, you’ve probably seen the debates. One person says he’s "washed." Another swears he’s still a top-ten route runner in the league. But the question that usually starts the whole argument is a simple one: how old is dhop anyway?
It's a fair question. DeAndre Hopkins has been in the league so long it feels like he caught passes from Warren Moon (he didn’t, obviously). As of today, January 15, 2026, DeAndre Hopkins is 33 years old.
He was born on June 6, 1992, in Central, South Carolina. That means he’ll be hitting the big 34 this coming summer. In NFL wide receiver years, 33 is basically "retirement home" territory for some guys, but Nuk—as his fans call him—has always played a style that relies more on being a "strong-hands" wizard than a 4.3-speed burner.
Honestly, the way he plays makes his age feel secondary. He’s never been the fastest guy on the field. He wins with body positioning, late hands, and a catch radius that doesn't seem to care what year is on his birth certificate.
The Timeline: Why It Feels Like He’s 40
People lose track of his age because his career has had so many distinct "eras." Most stars stay in one place for a decade. DHop? He’s been around the block. He spent seven seasons as the face of the Houston Texans, three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, a stint with the Titans, a Super Bowl run with the Chiefs in 2024, and now his current 2025-2026 chapter with the Baltimore Ravens.
When you see a guy transition from being the "young buck" in Houston to the veteran leader in Baltimore, your brain naturally adds a few years. It's weird to think he was part of that legendary 2013 Draft class. He went 27th overall. To put that in perspective, some of the guys he came in with have been retired for five years already.
Why 33 is a "Scary" Number for Wideouts
There is this thing in the NFL called the "age cliff." For receivers, it usually happens right around 31 or 32. It’s that moment where the hamstrings start tightening up and the separation that used to be two yards becomes two inches.
We saw a bit of this in his 2025 season with the Ravens. He only played about 33% of the snaps. That’s a huge drop for a guy who used to never leave the field. He finished the regular season with 22 catches for 330 yards. It's a far cry from the 1,500-yard seasons we saw in Houston.
But here is the thing about how old is dhop right now: age isn't just a number of years; it's a number of miles.
Hopkins has over 1,000 career receptions. That is a lot of hits. A lot of contested catches. A lot of times getting tackled by 220-pound safeties. Despite that, he’s still out there. Just a few weeks ago, on January 1, 2026, he told the media in Baltimore that he definitely wants to play at least one more year. He’s not ready to call it quits.
What Most People Get Wrong About His "Declining" Speed
I hear it all the time. "DHop is slow now because he's in his mid-30s."
The truth? He was never fast.
Back at the 2013 NFL Combine, he ran a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash. That’s... okay? It’s certainly not elite. Jerry Rice wasn't a burner either, and he played until he was 42. Because Hopkins never relied on raw speed to win, his aging process looks different than a guy like Tyreek Hill would.
If you lose a step when you started with ten, you’re still fine. If you lose a step when you started with two, you’re in trouble. Hopkins is proving that his "old man game"—the push-offs that don't get flagged, the incredible sideline awareness—is what keeps him rosterable at 33.
The Contract Reality
Look at his current situation. He’s on a one-year, $5 million deal with the Ravens. That is "veteran rental" money. When you search for how old is dhop, you’re often looking for clues about his future value. At 33, he’s a luxury piece. He's the guy you bring in to teach Zay Flowers how to carry himself as a pro and to catch a crucial 3rd-and-8 in the playoffs.
He’s scheduled to be a free agent again this offseason. Will someone give a 34-year-old receiver a multi-year deal? Probably not. But could he catch 40 balls for a contender next year? Absolutely.
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The Physical Toll and the "Nuk" Factor
He’s 6’1” and 212 pounds. He’s built like a tank compared to the modern "skinny" receivers like DeVonta Smith. That frame has allowed him to absorb the punishment of 13 NFL seasons.
He’s had some setbacks lately, though. A knee injury during the 2024 training camp slowed him down more than people realized. When you’re 22, you bounce back from a sprain in three weeks. When you’re 33, that same injury lingers for three months. It’s just the reality of the human body.
Still, his hands are just as big as they were when he was a rookie at Clemson. They haven't shrunk. He still wears those XXXL gloves. As long as he can get his hands on the ball, he’s a threat.
Final Reality Check on the Age Debate
So, if you’re wondering how old is dhop because you’re worried about your fantasy team or wondering if your team should sign him, here’s the breakdown:
- Age: 33 (Turns 34 in June 2026)
- Experience: 13 Seasons
- Condition: Still active, still "hungry," but now a role player rather than a WR1.
- Verdict: He’s in the twilight, but the sun hasn't set just yet.
If you’re watching him this postseason, don’t look for the 10-catch games. Look for the one play where the Ravens need a contested ball in the red zone. That’s where the 33-year-old veteran beats the 23-year-old cornerback every single time.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts
Check the final injury reports for the upcoming Ravens playoff matchups to see his snap count projections. If you're looking at his future, keep an eye on the "void years" in his contract, as the Ravens will likely let him test the market in March 2026 to see if a Super Bowl contender needs one last piece of the puzzle.