The Kansas City Chiefs, two-time defending Super Bowl champions, have acquired three-time All-Pro wide receiver from the Tennessee Titans, according to an anonymous source who spoke to The Associated Press. This trade helps the Chiefs bolster a wide receiver position that has been hit hard by injuries throughout the season. The person provided details of the trade but remained anonymous because the teams have not yet made an official announcement.
As part of the deal, the Chiefs are sending a conditional fifth-round draft pick to the Titans, and Tennessee has agreed to cover part of Hopkins’ salary, a crucial aspect for the Chiefs due to their limited salary cap space. While Chiefs head coach Andy Reid did not confirm the trade during Wednesday’s practice, he alluded to general manager Brett Veach managing the situation.
Kansas City’s need for wide receiver depth is clear, as they have been plagued by injuries in the position. Marquise Brown, a top free-agent signing for the Chiefs, underwent shoulder surgery before the season started, while second-year standout Rashee Rice suffered a season-ending knee injury in a game against the Chargers. Veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is also sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained in last Sunday’s win over the 49ers.
Hopkins becomes the third major wide receiver to be traded in a short span. Last Tuesday, Davante Adams was traded from the Raiders to the New York Jets, where he reunited with former quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Shortly after, the Buffalo Bills traded for Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns.
Although Hopkins had a relatively quiet season with the Titans, registering only 15 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown, he is an experienced and proven receiver. Over his career, primarily with the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals, he has accumulated 943 receptions for 12,528 yards and 79 touchdowns. His versatility and skill set should fit well into Reid’s complex offensive scheme, and he brings much-needed experience to Kansas City’s injury-riddled receiving corps.
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