The Kansas City Chiefs are at it again, making a big splash ahead of the NFL trade deadline by working to finalize a deal for veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Videos by FanBuzz
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Chiefs are set to acquire the five-time Pro Bowler from the Tennessee Titans for a 2025 fifth-round pick, which could become a fourth-rounder if the Chiefs make the Super Bowl and Hopkins sees significant snaps. The Titans will also eat $2.5 million of Hopkins' remaining $8 million salary.
This move feels like classic Kansas City. When they see a need, they waste no time in finding the right solution. The Chiefs have been hit hard at wide receiver, losing Rashee Rice for the season and dealing with nagging injuries to key contributors like JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has made it clear that he has faith in the group, but with the team's top healthy receivers — rookie Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson — combining for just 22 receptions through seven games, it's hard to deny that help was needed.
Hopkins, now in his 12th season, isn't the explosive force he once was, but he's still a savvy, reliable target who can come up big in key moments. His numbers this season — 15 catches, 173 yards, and one touchdown — don't jump off the page, but when you're playing with Mahomes, those numbers can change in a hurry. Hopkins brings experience and a proven track record, something the Chiefs desperately need as they look to make another deep playoff run.
Meanwhile, for the Titans, this is about taking stock of where they are in the standings. Sitting at 1-5 and with hopes of contending this season slipping away, Tennessee's brass is making the tough decisions to start retooling for the future. Trading Hopkins and linebacker Ernest Jones IV (who was sent to Seattle earlier Wednesday) may not be popular in the locker room, but head coach Brian Callahan knows it's part of the business.
"When you're in a spot that we're in, one that we didn't want to be in, you've got to make these kinds of moves," Callahan said.
For Kansas City, it's a calculated risk with potential high reward. We've seen this before from the Chiefs — adding Kadarius Toney last season, Mecole Hardman the year before — moves that helped push them over the top.
Hopkins might not be the same player that dominated in Houston, but if he can step in and make an impact, this deal could be yet another savvy midseason pickup that helps the Chiefs solidify their place among the league's elite.
