WR DeAndre Hopkins Would Welcome Vikings Deal

Minnesota recently added both Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz to its quarterback room, and it is fair to expect Murray to win the QB1 battle over Wentz and incumbent J.J. McCarthy. Of course, Murray and Hopkins were teammates with the Cardinals from 2020-22, and it sounds as if that relationship is a good one.

“Kyler … that’s my bro, man. Kyler is like family,” Hopkins said. “Whatever I can do for someone like that — if Kyler needed me, if the Vikings need me, they know I’ll be there.”

Murray was only available to the Vikings this offseason because he was unable to replicate his early-career success with Arizona, which made him the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 draft and released him earlier this month, taking on a considerable dead money hit in the process. The Cards acquired Hopkins via trade with the Texans prior to Murray’s second professional campaign, and Murray enjoyed the best seasons of his career when Hopkins was one of his top weapons, earning Pro Bowl nods in both 2020 and 2021.

Much has changed since then, however. While Murray has struggled with health and consistency, Hopkins has bounced from the Cardinals to the Titans to the Chiefs to the Ravens, and despite appearing in all 17 games for Baltimore last season, he was largely absent from the club’s offensive attack.

After catching four balls for 99 yards and two touchdowns over the first two weeks of the 2025 schedule, Hopkins totaled just 18 receptions for 231 scoreless yards the rest of the way. Even though quarterback Lamar Jackson’s inconsistent, injury-plagued season doubtlessly played some role in that, Hopkins’ age (34 in June) and diminished production explain the lack of interest in his services to date.

At some point, though, he should be able to catch on with a team in need of receiving help. Hopkins still profiles as a viable red zone threat, and with the Vikings boasting Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on their roster, they do not need Hopkins to be the player he was during his heyday. They merely need him to be a consistent ancillary target.

Hopkins is not in a position to rebuff overtures from any team, and there is no guarantee Minnesota will reciprocate his interest. Still, there is some logic to a partnership, as the Vikes – who lost Jalen Nailor to the Raiders in free agency – currently have no proven WR depth behind Jefferson and Addison.

Hopkins has also expressed a willingness to re-up with Baltimore, which completely overhauled its coaching staff this offseason.