NFL analyst explains why DeAndre Hopkins is “such a 2024 Kansas City Chief” and it isn’t all good news
DeAndre Hopkins is now a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. The former Texans, Cardinals and Titans receiver was connected to the Chiefs for years by analysts. Finally, the Chiefs gave in and gotten a new pass catcher for Patrick Mahomes.
Speaking about the move on Wednesday's edition of "Pro Football Talk," NFL analyst Michael Holley explained why Hopkins is a perfect fit for the team that beat the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl last season. He also pointed out Hopkins' age, which might be a negative (2:18):
"He is such a 2024 Kansas City Chief in that maybe he's not the fastest guy. Maybe he's not as great as he used to be. But in a tough situation, he knows how to get open. He's a craftsman out there. He's a technician at the wide receiver spot. I guess he has to be because he's never been a burner.
"He just seems to fit like seamlessly into what Andy Reid wants to do with that offense I think is a great pickup. And two years later, they get him for a lower price than it would have cost him in 2022."
Of course, one would be remiss not to compare him to his new teammate Travis Kelce. Both players are seemingly in their twilight years but still manage to produce in key moments. Kelce has yet to have a 100-yard game or a touchdown catch, but he has helped the team win every game this year. Holley seemingly expects Hopkins to have a similar output.
Patrick Mahomes receives DeAndre Hopkins for frugal-friendly price
Everyone loves a deal and the Chiefs seemingly got one with DeAndre Hopkins. According to Ian Rapoport, via Bleacher Report, Hopkins cost the Chiefs just a fifth-round draft pick that could become a fourth-round pick.
In exchange, the Kansas City Chiefs got a receiver who surprisingly saw a bit of a rebirth in 2023 at age 31. Despite falling well short of 1,000 yards in 2021 and 2022, Hopkins managed to pull himself up to 1,057 yards in 2023.
The Chiefs will hope to get another similar season out of him and boost an offense that hasn't been great this year. The team has yet to put together a 30-point showing this season despite owning a perfect record.
With the addition of DeAndre Hopkins, Chiefs fans will hope Mahomes can get his touchdown-interception ratio above 1:1 in short order. Will the mid-season trade pay dividends?
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Pro Football Talk" and H/T Sportskeeda.