The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly finalizing a trade to acquire five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans, according to a report by ESPN. This move comes as the Chiefs look to bolster their passing game, which has struggled due to key injuries. The trade is expected to involve a conditional fourth-round draft pick going to the Titans in exchange for Hopkins.
Hopkins, 32, is in the final year of a two-year contract he signed with the Titans in July 2023. Last season, he caught 75 passes for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns, showing his ability to contribute at a high level. However, he suffered a torn ligament in his knee during the offseason, which has limited his production so far in 2024. Through six games this season, Hopkins has only 15 catches for 173 yards and one touchdown.
Despite these struggles, the Chiefs see Hopkins as a potential game-changer for their offense, which has not been performing at the high level typically associated with the team. Kansas City, the NFL’s only remaining undefeated team, has faced challenges on offense this season, particularly after top wide receiver Rashee Rice went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Additionally, offseason acquisition Marquise Brown was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, and starting running back Isiah Pacheco has been sidelined since Week 3 due to a broken fibula.
These injuries have had a noticeable impact on the Chiefs’ passing attack. Since quarterback Patrick Mahomes took over as the starter in 2018, the team has consistently ranked among the NFL’s best in passing offense, finishing in the top six each year. However, this season, Kansas City is averaging just 221.5 passing yards per game, which ranks 12th in the league. The addition of Hopkins could provide a much-needed boost to the team’s aerial game, giving Mahomes a reliable big-play target.
Hopkins is no stranger to being a top receiver in the NFL. Drafted by the Houston Texans with the 27th overall pick in 2013, he quickly established himself as one of the league’s best. Over the course of his 12-year career, he has accumulated 943 receptions for 12,528 yards and 79 touchdowns. Hopkins has had four seasons with more than 100 receptions, and he led the NFL in touchdown catches with 13 in 2017.
For the Titans, trading Hopkins signals a shift in their roster strategy. While Hopkins showed his ability to perform last season, his slow start in 2024, coupled with the team’s current situation, made him a trade candidate. With this move, Tennessee will receive a conditional fourth-round draft pick, which could help them build for the future.
As the Chiefs work to finalize the deal, Hopkins could offer them a new dimension on offense, helping to fill the void left by injured players. His ability to make big plays could be key to maintaining the team’s status as a top contender in the NFL. If Hopkins can return to form after his knee injury, he could be a valuable addition to Kansas City’s already powerful lineup.
