Vikings Still Listed as Landing Spot for 5-Time Pro Bowler

Before the Minnesota Vikings signed Jauan Jennings in free agency, some media and fans speculated that DeAndre Hopkins could join the club as the WR3 or WR4 in 2026, as Hopkins even endorsed the relationship due to his connection to new Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray. After the Jennings deal, though, Hopkins-to-Minnesota theories died off, and he remains a free agent.

Now, courtesy of CBS Sports, the idea is back.

Hopkins’ Connection to Murray Keeps the Vikings Rumor Breathing

CBS Sports: Vikings a Landing Spot for Hopkins

Brad Crawford wrote last week, “The Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs are three potential fits for Hopkins, all of which have been discussed by the former first-round pick at some point this offseason. Joe Burrow is one quarterback Hopkins said he would enjoy playing with during an interview with Sports Illustrated.”

“In Minnesota, Hopkins would reunite with former Arizona Cardinals teammate Kyler Murray. The pair played three seasons together from 2020-22, hooking up 17 times for touchdowns over that stretch.”

It’s worth noting that Hopkins already played for the Chiefs in 2024. That destination would offer a reunion.

The Quote in March

Questioned by TMZ in March about the Vikings as a landing spot for his 2026 free agency, Hopkins said, “Kyler — that’s my boy, man. Kyler is like family. I talked to Kyler throughout the year last year. I talked to Kyler after, you know, his situation in Arizona. Kyler’s like family, man.”

“I would always, you know, embrace that journey with him. He’s on a one-year deal? Whatever I can do for what someone like that — if Kyler need me he know I’m there, if the Vikings need me they know I’ll be there.”

From that moment, Vikings fans considered Hopkins a WR3 fix — until Jennings signed on the team’s dotted line.

Hopkins’s Production — As of Late and in His Career

Let’s get this out of the way: the Vikings would not be onboarding prime Hopkins or anything close to it. In fact, most would argue that he is wholly washed as a WR1 and WR2. He could, though, fill the WR4 role, especially considering his career rapport with Murray and the notion that he wanted to play for the Vikings as recently as the spring.

Here’s his career resume:

The man was a total stud from 2015 to 2020.

The Big Lead‘s Jobe Morrison also mentioned the Philadelphia Eagles as a landing spot for Hopkins last week: “The Eagles traded away A.J. Brown and drafted Makai Lemon. They also acquired Dontayvion Wicks. Even so, Hopkins could carve out a role in Philadelphia’s offense similar to the one he could fill in Minnesota.”

“Hopkins remains a savvy route runner with excellent hands, even if he no longer possesses the speed that defined his early career. He would likely compete with Lemon, Wicks, and Hollywood Brown for snaps. Could Hopkins help Jalen Hurts lead the Eagles back to the Super Bowl?”

Why Not?

Signing Hopkins as the WR3 might’ve been a bit shaky — he has not produced those numbers since 2024 or 2023 — but WR4 is a different ball of wax. For now, the Vikings have Tai Felton or rookie Dillon Bell in line to fill the WR4 responsibility. Neither man would outduel Hopkins at training camp.

There’s also Hopkins’ redzone acumen to consider. As it stands, Minnesota doesn’t have oodles of go-to playmakers inside the 20. Justin Jefferson’s yardage output has never matched his touchdown accumulation. Jordan Addison is a home run hitter, not a redzone savant. T.J. Hockenson hasn’t played like himself, or at least hasn’t been afforded the targets since 2023. And Jennings is new.

Taking the plunge with Hopkins on an inexpensive contract, per Crawford, checks boxes for the Vikings, even if he’s used sparingly and in the redzone.

Hopkins turned 34 a few weeks ago and came from the same draft as former Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker