Andrew Buller-Russ
Suddenly, the Cincinnati Bengals have shown a willingness to swing a big deal. That proved true when Bengals general manager Duke Tobin agreed to ship the team’s first-round pick, No. 10 overall, to the New York Giants in exchange for star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
The Bengals were willing to make that move, knowing that Lawrence, a three-time Pro Bowl DT, would likely have a bigger instant impact than any incoming player in the 2026 NFL Draft class. With the Bengals clearly still looking to win now, could another veteran addition be coming?
One player without a contract, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, recently stated his case to join the Bengals, where he wants to team up with Joe Burrow. Hopkins feels Burrow is “one of the best.” Hopkins named the Bengals QB’s toughness and history of leading the team to a Super Bowl appearance in Burrow’s second season in the NFL as reasons for his choice.
.@DeAndreHopkins says he'd like to play with Joe Burrow 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aEJ5mXQMQv
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 2, 2026
While Hopkins, 33, is clearly interested in continuing his football career, there hasn’t been any smoke on his market since becoming a free agent.
He’s also mentioned an interest in reuniting with his former Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray on the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings did bring in a veteran receiver for a workout recently, so they’re clearly still searching for depth after the NFL Draft. Perhaps Hopkins could be a fit for Minnesota too, but they haven’t expressed any interest thus far.
Hopkins spent last season with the Baltimore Ravens, where he caught 22 of 39 targets for 330 yards and two touchdowns. The three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season since 2023, when he was with the Tennessee Titans.
Clearly still feeling like he has something to prove, the Bengals wouldn’t lose anything by bringing in the seven-time 1,000-yard receiver for a workout. Best-case scenario, he shows he could be a difference-maker in Cincinnati. If not, the Bengals can come away feeling more confident in the talent they have on hand, believing their younger options can be better fits in the long run.
Related: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating Worst, Best Teams After NFL Draft
