
DeAndre Hopkins has expressed interest in joining the Minnesota Vikings after his former teammate Kyler Murray signed with the team. The Vikings may consider him as a potential solution for their unsettled WR3 position.
Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
When Kyler Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings, his former teammate and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins publicly stated that heād like to join him in the Twin Cities. Fast forward a month, and that theory remains alive in the Vikingsā rumor orbit.
Minnesota could revisit Hopkins if WR3 remains unsettled.
Star Tribuneās Ben Goessling name-dropped Hopkins as a WR solution for the Vikings after the draft. It might just happen.
A low-cost veteran could still make sense in the spot.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) reacts following a play against the Los Angeles Rams, Dec. 13, 2021, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, showing visible emotion during a key divisional matchup as Arizona battles for control in a competitive NFC West race late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
Goessling on Hopkins
Goessling joined Paul Allenās show on KFAN this week, and Allen asked: āSo the Jalen Nailor spot, do the Vikings want a veteran wide receiver ⦠or do you think OāConnell and the gang are sitting on something sneaky they love in the draft?ā
He replied, āIām going to answer that yes ā to both. I think, if they could find a veteran ā I mean, DeAndre Hopkinsā name has come up. If you could get a guy in here like a Hopkins, that has rapport with Kyler Murray ā it depends on what he wants to play for, it depends on what he wants his role to be.ā
Itās worth noting that Goessling is plugged into all things Vikings; the Hopkins angle isnāt his personal preference.
The Career Numbers
Hopkins entered the league in 2015 and quickly established himself as an elite receiver, posting impressive numbers early in his career. However, his usage has declined in recent seasons.
Hereās a breakdown of his stats year by year:
2015 ā HOU: 111 Rec | 1,521 Yds | 11 TDs
2016 ā HOU: 78 Rec | 954 Yds | 4 TDs
2017 ā HOU: 96 Rec | 1,378 Yds | 13 TDs2018 ā HOU: 115 Rec | 1,572 Yds | 11 TDs
2019 ā HOU: 104 Rec | 1,165 Yds | 7 TDs
2020 ā ARI: 115 Rec | 1,407 Yds | 6 TDs
2021 ā ARI: 42 Rec | 572 Yds | 8 TDs
2022 ā ARI: 64 Rec | 717 Yds | 3 TDs
2023 ā TEN: 75 Rec | 1,057 Yds | 7 TDs
2024 ā KC/TEN: 56 Rec | 610 Yds | 5 TDs
2025 ā BAL: 22 Rec | 330 Yds | 2 TDs
In his early career, Hopkins was a true WR1, consistently commanding high volume and producing efficiently. However, his recent seasons suggest a transition to a complementary role with diminished targets.
In 2025, Baltimore targeted him only 39 times, a surprisingly low number for a player of his pedigree. This usage pattern mirrors that of a WR3, similar to Nailorās role in Minnesota. His combined 2024 statistics with Kansas City and Tennessee further reinforce this trend.
Although a reunion with Murray could be advantageous, Hopkinsā recent performance indicates he is likely trending toward a supporting role rather than reclaiming his position as a primary receiving option. The WR3 or WR4 post in Minnesota checks that box.
On Hopkins .. Why Not?
So long as Hopkins doesnāt ask to break the bank ā he probably wonāt ā thereās really no downside to signing him this offseason. Minnesota needs a WR3, and thereās a world where Hopkins has the chops for it. Or ā the team could sign as an option for WR3, and if a youngster topples him at training camp, thereās no harm done.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates after reaching the end zone against the Houston Texans, Oct. 24, 2021, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, marking a scoring play in the first half as Arizona builds momentum against Hopkinsā former team. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
Throughout his career, Hopkins has excelled in the redzone. Itās probably a safe bet to assume that quality is āone of the last to go.ā Therefore, at the very least, the Vikings could sign Hopkins under the pretense that his redzone efficiency would bolster the offense.
Minnesota can probably pay him $2 million or $3 million and call it good.
The Viking Ageās Brad Berreman noted on Hopkins a couple of weeks ago, āIt seems like he has told Murray he wants to be a Viking, and the Vikings have also been told that via Murray and/or separately by his agent. So the ball is fully in the Vikingsā court. The cost to sign Hopkins surely wonāt be prohibitive, or more than a one-year deal.ā
āThe loss of Jalen Nailor in free agency also leaves an obvious void at WR3, and some people are lightly campaigning to fill the void. Hopkins, even past his prime, is a known quantity who has a notable history with Murray.ā
Nailor Gone and the Felton Show
The Vikings are in this spot ā having Hopkins in their rumor mill ā because the aforementioned Nailor left in free agency. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, the city where he was raised, and might even be on tap for WR1 duty with Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza, and friends. The Raiders possess one of the NFLās very worst WR crops, thrusting Nailor to the top of the depth chart.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) reacts after a rushing play during first-quarter action, Oct. 5, 2025, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, as the Ravens face the Houston Texans with Hopkins contributing early touches in the offensive game plan. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images.
After Nailor left, the Vikings signed no replacements. Theyāll hope either Tai Felton, a rookie who barely played on offense last year, will mature into a WR3 this summer, or theyāll draft another youngster sometime early in next weekās draft.
According to Goessling, Minnesota will likely do both ā draft a wideout before the end of the draft and ink a veteran like Hopkins. The plan would make sense for Kevin OāConnellās pass-happy offense.
The NFL draft is eight days away, with Minnesota holding nine selections before any trades.
DeAndre Hopkins is interested in joining the Vikings because his former teammate Kyler Murray signed with the team, and he publicly stated his desire to play alongside him.
DeAndre Hopkins could potentially fill the WR3 position on the Vikings roster, which remains unsettled after the draft.
Ben Goessling from the *Star Tribune* mentioned DeAndre Hopkins as a potential wide receiver solution for the Vikings.
If the Vikings consider DeAndre Hopkins, it could strengthen their receiving corps and provide a significant boost to their offense.

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