Vikings Rumors Swirl around Tyreek Hill, Adam Thielen, and a QB3

Tyreek Hill on field before Dolphins game against Bills at Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) stands on the field before a matchup against the Buffalo Bills on September 12, 2024, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Hill, known for his elite speed and playmaking, prepares to lead Miami’s receiving corps. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings have a bit over three weeks until the start of the regular season, with two preseason games upcoming in the meantime.

Minnesota Vikings rumors heat up with talk of Tyreek Hill, Adam Thielen, and a blossoming QB2 battle as preseason action ramps up in the Twin Cities.

The rumor mill, of course, never stops, and each week, VikingsTerritory tracks and uplifts the top purple rumors of the week.

Here’s this week’s edition.

Vikings Rumors | August 16th

These are the main rumors in the Vikings’ orbit.

C.J. Mosley tips pass intended for Tyreek Hill.
New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) deflects a pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) on Jan 8, 2023, during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports.

Rumor: The Vikings are a trade landing spot theory for Tyreek Hill.

Tyreek Hill requested a trade last year after his Miami Dolphins failed to reach the playoffs. He later walked back the request but has twisted in the trade rumor mill since.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler remarked on SportsCenter last weekend, “So his status is uncertain, with an oblique injury right now, as for when he gets back in the lineup, is still up in the air. Right now, I have talked to a few teams that are at least monitoring his future a little bit. Could he be a potential trade target? I know the Dolphins earlier this summer were telling teams, no, we’re not trading Tyreek Hill.”

“But they just wonder, is he going to be available? It could be wishful thinking. Maybe they want him to be available, but he’s a player that when I bring up the teams and say, ‘Who’s sort of a trade target you’re watching?’ They bring up Tyreek Hill, so we’ll see. He’s a big option for Tua and that’d be a major move if they did move away from him.”

Minnesota is a bit thin at wide receiver right now, with Jordan Addison suspended for the season’s first three games and Rondale Moore lost for all of 2025.

Sammy Watkins and Tyreek Hill celebrate two-point conversion. Hill has been a part of Vikings rumors, at least a bit, in 2025.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) celebrates with Tyreek Hill (10) after converting a two-point try against Denver Broncos linebacker A.J. Johnson (45) on Dec 15, 2019, in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports.

Bleacher Report‘s Brent Sobleski mentioned a possible Hill trade to Pittsburgh this week: “By pairing Hill’s blazing speed with Metcalf’s physicality and Rodgers pulling the strings, the Steelers may have finally moved the needle and elevated their status as a legitimate contender. For the Dolphins, the return won’t be as good as adding a 28-year-old, five-time Pro Bowl safety.”

“Miami can certainly demand more in a trade if the franchise is willing to eat a portion of Hill’s upcoming bonus and/or base salary. Though the organization has already stated publicly it doesn’t want to trade him, which hardens its negotiating stance.”

Hill grew up as a Vikings fan, so any time a trade is associated with his name, Minnesota will get a mention. He’s probably too expensive for Minnesota’s budget, generally speaking.

Rumor: Adam Thielen should come home via trade.

Speaking of WR trades, the Thielen trade rumor for Minnesota is much hotter than Hill fodder.

Daily Norseman’s David Stefano wrote last weekend, “Adam Thielen Trade Debate: Pros include Thielen’s recent productivity (150+ catches, 1,600 yards in Carolina over the last two seasons), O’Connell offense familiarity, veteran leadership at age 34 (turning 35 soon), and off-season chemistry with McCarthy.”

“Cons: Age-related decline risks, 2025 team chemistry with McCarthy, and potential role dissatisfaction as WR3 or WR4 after Jordan Addison’s three-game suspension. Hosts compared to Jerry Rice’s longevity and alternatives like Amari Cooper.”

Vikings-oriented TikToker Dustin Klug tweeted one week ago, “My prediction for the next Vikings WR: A. Trade for Adam Thielen — or — B. Sign Amari Cooper. I just have a feeling that one of these guys will be a Minnesota Viking by week one.”

Adam Thielen catches touchdown with Will Harris defending.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) hauls in a touchdown catch as Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25) defends on Aug 25, 2023, in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.

And FantasyLife‘s Thor Nystrom posted, “The Vikings should seriously consider trading for a playable WR. You’re gonna be without Addison for 3 games, Jefferson is currently sidelined, and your depth behind those 2 is crazy shaky — Nailor has been stone-handed all camp, and you can’t hang your hat on anyone else.”

In reality, a Thielen trade may be a swap to explore if the Panthers find themselves with a losing record in October and become sellers at the trade deadline. Until then, they seem to like Thielen’s presence in the locker room, and he’s the WR2 until he’s not.

Rumor: Max Broser is “that guy,” and fans have fallen in love to the tune of a QB3 recommendation.

Brosmer balled out last weekend against the Texans, delivering layered throws and looking much better than a standard undrafted free agent quarterback. PurplePost’s Tanner Weber wrote, “Max Brosmer looked extremely comfortable and accurate attacking between the hashes yesterday. Don’t think you can say that about the majority of undrafted QBs.”

A Minnesota high school football coach tweeted, “Former Minnesota Gophers QB Max Brosmer having himself a nice day for the Vikings.”

VikesReport opined, “No disrespect to Sam Howell, but I want to see Brosmer on Saturday against New England.”

Max Brosmer with Xavier Johnson and Aireontae Ersery postgame.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) poses with Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Johnson (89) and offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery (79) after the game on Aug 9, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

VikingsWire’s Andrew Harbaugh analyzed Brosmer’s preseason performance: “The former Gopher didn’t look like an undrafted rookie free agent making his first preseason appearance. Brosmer completed 5/8 passes for 47 yards.”

“He had a touchdown pass to Myles Price one play after another touchdown pass to Dontae Fleming was overturned. Brosmer was composed and found passes into tight windows, including one pass to receiver Silas Bolden that would have gained at least 20 yards had it not been dropped.”

Brosmer must follow up the performance with two more noteworthy preseason performances, but some want Brosmer to stay attached to the Vikings’ roster for the long haul.


avatar
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His debut thriller, The Motor Route , is out now. He ... More about Dustin Baker