The Kansas City Chiefs are one of two undefeated teams remaining in the NFL, which is all the more impressive considering the extensive injuries to their wide receiver room.
Kansas City’s coaching staff and front office are no doubt already considering who they will target ahead of the league’s November 5 trade deadline with wideouts Rashee Rice and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown likely both out for the remainder of the season, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ options in the pass game dwindling.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports predicted on October 10 that the Chiefs will ultimately trade for DeAndre Hopkins of the Tennessee Titans, who fell to 1-5 on Sunday after losing to the Indianapolis Colts.
“The long-term injury of Rashee Rice has Kansas City seeking aid at the receiver position,” Edwards wrote. “Hopkins is a player who makes bad decisions look good, and it has been awhile since he played with a good quarterback.”
Hopkins began his career with the Houston Texans in 2013 before joining the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. He signed a two-year deal worth $26 million to become a Titan in July 2023, which expires at the end of this season.
The 32-year-old receiver is a five-time Pro Bowler and a five-time All-Pro. He has amassed 938 receptions for 12,476 yards and 79 TDs over the course of his 12-year career.
Hopkins makes sense for the Chiefs as a one-year rental as they pursue the first championship three-peat in NFL history because he is still in the upper echelon of pass catchers but also on the final year of his contract.
Kansas City wouldn’t have to make any financial commitment to Hopkins beyond this season, which makes sense with Rice and Brown likely back healthy alongside rookie Xavier Worthy in the receiver room next year.
However, if Hopkins gets a taste of playing with Mahomes, he may find himself interested in returning to the team at a discounted rate in 2025 and beyond. If not, both franchise and player could go their separate ways following what figures to be another deep playoff run this postseason.