Star WR Wants to Join Vikings, Reunite with Former QB

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DeAndre Hopkins and new Minnesota Vikings QB Kyler Murray with the Arizona Cardinals
Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings looked a lot different in the quarterback room on the first day of spring 2026 than they did exactly one year earlier.

Last March, the Vikings passed on opportunities to sign Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones and Aaron Rodgers because they Kwesi was reportedly insistent on starting redshirt rookie JJ McCarthy, whether he was ready or not.

Minnesota Vikings doing QB search differently this offseason

Determined not to make the same QB mistakes that derailed their 2025 season, the 2026 MN Vikings have already signed TWO quarterbacks — Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz — that could arguably land ahead of McCarthy on the depth chart.

Related: JJ McCarthy Camp Hoping for Trade Out of Minnesota?

While Vikings wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison have both stuck up for JJ this offseason, there’s no doubt that they, along with tight end TJ Hockenson, are more excited about this year’s QB upgrades than anyone at TCO Performance Center.

With JJ McCarthy under center for 10 games, all three of Minnesota’s most talented pass catchers endured the most statistically difficult seasons of their respective careers.

Jefferson barely topped 1K yards (1,048) and only caught two touchdowns — both career lows — just like Jordan Addison’s 610 yards + 2 TDs and Hockenson’s 438 yards + 3 TDs (15+ games played).

But now that Kyler Murray is in the house, Minnesota’s currently contracted pass catchers aren’t the only ones excited by the thought of catching passes from K1 in purple.

DeAndre Hopkins wants to play for MN Vikings

TMZ caught up with star wide receiver and former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, Saturday outside of LAX airport in Los Angeles.

There, the 5x pro bowler, 3x All-Pro and former top target of new Vikings QB Kyler Murray told the gossip news site that he would love to play with Kyler again, especially in Minnesota where he would get to play next to Justin Jefferson, who he described as one of the best players in the game — (03:40 mark of below video).

“Kyler, that’s my boy, man. Kyler is like family. I talked to Kyler throughout the year last year, I talked to him after his situation in Arizona. So, Kyler is like family man. I will always embrace that journey with him… Whatever I can do for someone like that. If Kyler needed me, he know I’m there. If the Vikings need me, they know I’ll be there.

Justin Jefferson, they got the, if not one of the best wide receivers in the game. I think Kyler will fit in perfect there, man. I think Kyler is one of the best and most accurate quarterbacks in the game, man, and his stats show that.”

DeAndre Hopkins – TMZ

Through the course of his illustrious 13-year NFL career, DeAndre Hopkins has racked up 13,295 receiving yards — which makes him the league’s active leader in that category — and 85 touchdowns on 1,006 career receptions.

Last year, in Baltimore, Hopkins had one of the worse statistical seasons of his football life, catching just 22 passes over 17 games for 330 yards and 2 touchdowns. His last 1,000 yard season was 2023 in Tennessee, where he totaled 75 receptions for 1,057 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Signing DeAndre Hopkins to play with Kyler Murray makes sense

But the last time the 33-year-old wide receiver was truly dominant was 2020, Kyler Murray’s sophomore NFL season. That year, Hopkins caught 115 passes for 1,407 yards and 6 touchdowns. Murray’s rookie season (2019), D-Hop went for 1,165 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Adding DeAndre Hopkins to the wide receiver room wouldn’t just fill a hole left by Jalen Nailor, when he left for Las Vegas via free agency, it would upgrade the Minnesota Vikings at that position, even despite Hopkins’ age.

Another bonus, if the Vikings were to sign the decorated veteran wide receiver, would be another great mentor for Jordan Addison, who needs all the help he can get staying out of trouble. It’s also worth noting that acting GM Rob Brzezinski has reportedly budgeted for an extension this offseason.

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