The Kansas City Chiefs, two-time defending Super Bowl champions, are making a strategic move ahead of the NFL trade deadline by acquiring wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
In the deal, the Chiefs will give a conditional fifth-round pick from the 2025 draft to the Titans for the five-time Pro Bowler. This pick could potentially upgrade to a fourth-round selection if the Chiefs reach the Super Bowl and Hopkins participates in at least 60% of the snaps.
The Chiefs, despite being the last undefeated team in the NFL, face challenges in their receiving corps after injuries sidelined Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was left with just two healthy receivers, rookie Xavier Worthy and veteran Justin Watson, prior to Wednesday’s trade.
In the current 2024 season, Hopkins has recorded 15 receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown, with three games featuring only one catch for the struggling 1-5 Titans. His standout performance came in a 30-14 defeat against the Green Bay Packers, where he caught six passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.
With Hopkins joining tight end Travis Kelce, the Chiefs aim to solidify their receiving options in their pursuit of becoming the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls. Kansas City’s next challenge is an away game against the Las Vegas Raiders, a matchup against a divisional rival.