The Detroit Lions have done everything in their power this offseason to turn things around after finishing last in the NFC North in 2025. Of course, the Lions can only control so much about what happens in the division, as their three rivals have also been hard at work making offseason moves, for better or worse.
March isn't over yet, meaning there's still time for new faces to join the thunderdome-like division. Interestingly enough, former All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins has made it clear he wants to join the NFC North mix, recently saying that he wants to reunite with former Arizona Cardinals and new Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray.
"Kyler, that's my bro, man. Kyler is like family," Hopkins told TMZ Sports on Sunday. "Whatever I can do for someone like that — if Kyler needed me, if the Vikings need me, they know I'll be there."
But as promising as Hopkins thinks a reunion with Murray could be, the potential situation isn't something that Lions fans should be worried about.
DeAndre Hopkins Potentially Joining Vikings Shouldn't Scare Lions
If we were back in the mid-2010s, there would be a good reason to be worried about Hopkins' interest in the Vikings. The former Clemson Tiger was one of the NFL's best wideouts for more than half a decade, amassing 619 catches for 7,997 receiving yards, 52 touchdowns, and five Pro Bowl nods with as many All-Pro appearances.
Having said that, the 33-year-old WR hasn't achieved any personal accolades since the 2020 season.
Beyond that, Hopkins only has one 1,000-yard performance in the last five seasons despite accomplishing that feat six times in his first eight campaigns. Although he made the occasional impact for the Ravens last season, his 22 catches, 330 yards, and two TDs all marked new personal lows for his 13-year career.
With Father Time slowing him down, Hopkins will likely require a reliable QB to help him make an impact at this stage of his career, which is something the Vikings might not have. For starters, Murray is entering a new environment, and it isn't guaranteed that he'll immediately gel with his new offensive line and weapons.
Beyond Murray sits J.J. McCarthy, who had more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11) on a 57.6% completion rate last year. Meanwhile, Carson Wentz has a non-threatening 5-9 record across the last four seasons, while Max Brosmer threw a whopping four interceptions during his NFL debut in Week 13.
History Would Be on Detroit's Side
Besides, the Lions proved they can handle Hopkins' current form during Week 3's 38-30 shootout win over the Ravens. Detroit's secondary limited the Central, SC native to a 13-yard catch on two targets, showing why a potential Vikings signing isn't worth fearing.
Set to turn 34 in June, Hopkins can still make an impact as a WR3/4 on a contender, but that isn't what the Vikings are. Their passing game is filled with question marks, and putting Hopkins in that environment could be asking too much from someone whose best days are long gone, potentially setting the two sides up for disaster before the season even begins.
Of course, the Lions won't mind if that happens. Not only because Hopkins' name isn't as scary as it once was, but because any more mistakes that the Vikings make will only help the Lions get one step closer to returning to the top of the NFC North.