Three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is in a rush to get acclimated to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Hopkins’ acquisition from the Tennessee Titans became official Thursday with the Chiefs parting with a conditional fifth-round draft pick to land the 32-year-old. NFL Network reported the compensation would become a fourth-round selection if Kansas City reaches the Super Bowl and Hopkins plays 60 percent of the snaps in the Chiefs’ final 11 regular-season games.
“I’ve got to thank (Titans GM) Ran (Carthon) and his staff for trading me to a contender first of all, because those guys could’ve traded me anywhere,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins is working in fast-forward mode for the next three days in hopes of playing Sunday. Only part of a day into the process of absorbing his new surroundings, Hopkins said he already can feel the reason players thrive in the Chiefs’ winning environment.
“It takes your game to a different level. It takes your focus, your drive knowing that you’re playing for something,” he said.
“I haven’t played meaningful football in a couple years since we probably started 8-0 in Arizona. So it takes your game to a different level.”
The Chiefs are all hands on deck at wide receiver these days due to injuries. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (shoulder) and Rashee Rice (right knee) are on IR, and JuJu Smith-Schuster aggravated a hamstring injury in Kansas City’s 28-18 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Smith-Schuster already has been ruled out for the Chiefs (6-0) ahead of this Sunday’s game against the host Las Vegas Raiders (2-5).
Hopkins had 15 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown in six games (three starts) for the Titans this season.
Adding to the offensive arsenal on the fly is nothing new for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is sharing the backfield with recently re-signed Kareem Hunt with Isiah Pacheco (leg) on injured reserve. The Chiefs acquired wide receivers at midseason the past two years, landing Kadarius Toney from the New York Giants in 2022 and Mecole Hardman from the Jets last fall.
Hopkins brings a minuscule drop rate — under 4 percent — and a penchant for coming down with passes in jump-ball situations. Those factors could show up quickly for an offense uncharacteristically punchless in the red zone before getting four touchdowns in five trips inside the 49ers’ 20 last week.
“Yeah, I think in my time, we’ve had receivers that can make some of those contested catches, and once you build that relationship and build that trust, you put him up there and let guys go out there and make plays,” Mahomes said. “I think that’s what’s special about coach (Andy) Reid’s offense: It adapts to whoever’s in there. He has different ways he can utilize your strengths. And then it’s my job to go out there and put guys in chances, give them chances to go out there and make plays.”
A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Hopkins led the Titans in catches (75), receiving yards (1,057) and receiving touchdowns (seven) in 17 games (16 starts) last season.
Hopkins has 943 career receptions for 12,528 yards and 79 touchdowns in 168 games (164 starts) for the Houston Texans (2013-19), Arizona Cardinals (2020-22) and Titans.
The Texans selected him 27th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Clemson.
To make room for Hopkins on the 53-man roster, the Chiefs placed fellow wide receiver Skyy Moore on injured reserve due to a core muscle injury.
Moore, 24, has yet to catch a pass on three targets this season.
He has 43 receptions for 494 yards and a touchdown in 36 career games (11 starts) since being selected by Kansas City in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
–Field Level Media
Comments