The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly finalizing a trade to acquire wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans, according to league sources. The Titans are expected to receive a conditional fourth-round pick in the deal, which is anticipated to be completed on Wednesday.
The Chiefs have been in need of wide receivers following injuries to key players. Rookie Rashee Rice suffered a right knee injury in Week 4 that ended his season, while Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster are also sidelined due to injuries, with Smith-Schuster ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
DeAndre Hopkins, a 12-year veteran, is currently in the last season of a two-year contract he signed with the Titans in July 2013. Despite suffering a torn MCL in the offseason, he has made a comeback, recording 15 receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown in six games this season. Hopkins is a five-time Pro Bowler and has previously played for the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals.
The Chiefs’ quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, will benefit from Hopkins’ addition as another target. Mahomes expressed confidence in the team’s receiving lineup following the trades of notable players like Davante Adams and Amari Cooper. However, the two remaining healthy wide receivers, Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson, have combined for only 22 receptions through Week 7.
In past seasons, the Chiefs have successfully acquired wide receivers before the trade deadline, including Kadarius Toney in 2022 and Mecole Hardman last year, both of whom contributed to the team’s Super Bowl victories.