The Seattle Seahawks suddenly have a hole to fill at wide receiver, and a historically big name on the open market has been floated as a possible answer.
Jake Bobo suffered what head coach Mike Macdonald described as a “serious” right knee injury during Seattle’s joint practice with the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 21.
Bobo was carted off after going down near the sideline, and Macdonald said the early indication was that it could be a long-term injury.
With Bobo’s status now in doubt, Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Brener named DeAndre Hopkins among three free-agent receivers the Seahawks could consider signing.
Hopkins, 34, would bring a decorated career to a team trying to defend its Super Bowl title. He’s a five-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro selection, including three first-team nods, and remains unsigned after spending last season with the Baltimore Ravens.
The circumstances make Hopkins more fascinating for Seattle now than they were even a few weeks ago.
Hopkins Could Give Seahawks Experienced Insurance
GettyBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 23: Deandre Hopkins #10 and Zay Flowers #4 of the Baltimore Ravens react during the second quarter of the game against the New York Jets at M&T Bank Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Bobo wasn’t expected to have a massive workload in Seattle’s offense, but classic statistics don’t encompass his full value.
He played only 17% of the Seahawks’ offensive snaps last season while appearing on 45% of their special teams snaps. He also delivered during Seattle’s championship run, catching two passes for 33 yards and a touchdown in the postseason.
Macdonald made Seattle’s feelings about Bobo crystal clear after the injury.
“He’s a beast,” Macdonald said. “He’s just a great, great football player, a great Seahawk.”
That makes replacing his exact role difficult. Hopkins would offer a different skill set, giving Seattle an veteran target behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed.
Hopkins caught 22 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns for Baltimore in 2025. Those were career-low totals, but his 15.0 yards per reception showed he could create valid gains in limited opportunities.
He’s also been open about what he wants at this stage of his career.
Hopkins told SiriusXM NFL Radio in June that he views himself as a “special situation kind of guy” and would “love to play for a competitor” entering Year 14, per NFL.com.
Seattle certainly qualifies after winning Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks Wouldn’t Need Hopkins to Be a No. 1 Receiver
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 14: Deandre Hopkins #10 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up prior to a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
A potential Hopkins signing would make more sense if the Seahawks treated him as a situational veteran rather than expecting him to recapture his peak form.
Smith-Njigba is coming off a 119-catch, 1,793-yard season and is the focal point of the passing game. Kupp and Shaheed give Seattle two established options behind him, allowing Hopkins to factor in as a low-snap-count player.
His experience could matter on third downs, in the red zone and when injuries force the depth chart to stretch.
Sports Illustrated called Hopkins a “natural” option while mentioning to his willingness to join a team capable of contending for a championship.
The outlet also named Josh Reynolds and DeAndre Carter as possibilities, with Reynolds seeming like a closer match for Bobo’s blocking and special teams responsibilities.
Hopkins would be the splashier route.
The Seahawks matched the Jacksonville Jaguars’ two-year, $5.5 million offer sheet for Bobo during the offseason, showing how much they valued keeping him.
Losing him for an extended period creates a late-camp question Seattle didn’t expect to answer.
Hopkins is unlikely to replace everything Bobo provided, particularly on special teams.
He could, however, give the Seahawks an accomplished option for a roster with championship expectations — and a reason to take a closer look at a renowned all-time receiver.
Seattle Seahawks Urged to Sign 5-Time All-Pro Following Jake Bobo Injury