DeAndre Hopkins took a jab at the Titans in his first press conference as a Kansas City Chief. “I haven’t played meaningful football in a couple of years,” he remarked after being traded from the Tennessee Titans to the undefeated Chiefs. Moving from a last-place team to the NFL’s top contender instantly boosted his Super Bowl hopes. “It means a lot,” Hopkins said, adding that knowing he’s competing for something raises his game and focus, a feeling he hadn’t had since an 8-0 start with Arizona.
Hopkins fills a major need in Kansas City, where injuries have sidelined key offensive players like Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice. With only rookie Xavier Worthy and JuJu Smith-Schuster remaining, the Chiefs are counting on Hopkins to elevate the offense and relieve some of the pressure on quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has had to carry the team in recent games.
Since his days with Kyler Murray in Arizona, Hopkins hasn’t played with a top quarterback. The Cardinals released him after two injury-marred seasons, and he joined the Titans in 2023, where his contributions were overshadowed by more successful teams. Now, at 32, Hopkins has a legitimate shot at a championship ring. He also expressed gratitude to Titans GM Ran Carthon, saying, “I’ve got to thank Ran and his staff for trading me to a contender; they could’ve sent me anywhere.”
DeAndre Hopkins
Chiefs coach Andy Reid suggested Hopkins could debut as early as this weekend, stating, “If he’s ready, why wait?” With the addition of Hopkins, the 6-0 Chiefs look even stronger, signaling that a three-peat might be in their sights.
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