Future Hall of Famer Is Waiting for a Call From the Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Kyler Murray to challenge 2025 starter J.J. McCarthy for the QB1 role ahead of the upcoming season. Barring a significant jump from McCarthy, Murray is expected to win that competition and lead Kevin O’Connell’s squad onto the field in Week 1.
His two featured receivers in the Twin Cities are excellent, with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. A third wideout could still arrive this offseason after Jalen Nailor’s departure in free agency. Murray’s former teammate DeAndre Hopkins is not opposed to joining the club.
Asked about his pal from his Arizona days, he responded via TMZ, “I would always embrace that journey with him,” Hopkins said. “If Kyler need me, he knows I’m there. If the Vikings need me, they know I’ll be there.”
Hopkins is nearing retirement, as Father Time is still undefeated. His contract with the Baltimore Ravens has expired and he can’t be too happy with his workload in the AFC North, catching only 22 passes for 330 yards and two scores. He played only 33% of the snaps.
The Vikings lost 29 receptions for 444 yards and four touchdowns when Nailor left the building for the final time. Just for comparison, he logged 65% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps. Head coach O’Connell could replace him with last year’s third-rounder Tai Felton, he could deploy more tight ends, or hire someone from the outside.
Hopkins added, “I think Kyler fits in perfect there… one of the [most] accurate quarterbacks in the game and his stats show that.”
Murray has a career on-target-throw percentage of 77%, ranking him in the middle of the pack for NFL passers since he entered the league. That, however, is way better than McCarthy’s 66.5% in 2025.
Hopkins’ last prime season to date came in 2020 with Murray, when he caught 115 passes for 1,407 yards. In the following two seasons, first Hopkins and then Murray suffered injuries that limited their output. He cracked the 1,000 yards in 2023 with the Tennessee Titans.
Over his career, Hopkins has 1,006 receptions for 13,295 yards and 85 touchdowns, leading all active players in yards. He is a three-time first-team All-Pro and was twice a finalist for Offensive Player of the Year. Hopkins registered several elite seasons despite alarming quarterback play in Houston.
At this stage of his career, he would be an excellent WR3 next to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. He has never won with speed, which is why he can still play despite nearing his 34th birthday. His hands are still elite; they possibly have been the best of his generation.
Last year, Hopkins played on a one-year deal worth $5 million and he’s unlikely to request more than that now that he’s another year older.
PFF, who actually forecast a $2 million salary, wrote in his PFF profile, “Hopkins was responsible for a career-low 330 receiving yards in 2025, but he was actually very efficient with an 82.3 PFF receiving grade. Indeed, Hopkins dropped just one of his 38 targets and caught seven of his 11 contested attempts. While the 33-year-old may not be capable of producing WR1-level volume at this stage in his career, he can play as a sage receiver who thrives in specific downfield roles.”
Reliable receivers are necessary regardless of the quarterback under center and Hopkins could be a third proven receiver for the Vikings. His past with Murray certainly puts him on Minnesota’s list of targets.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.