KANSAS CITY, Mo. — DeAndre Hopkins has 3 first-team All-Pro selections and 7 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He has played on some notable teams, but never one that has ventured deep into the playoffs.
So Hopkins says he’s looking forward to playing for a Super Bowl contender after his trade to the Kansas Town Chiefs became official Thursday.
“I have done a lot, all the accolades I can achieve personally [goals]”Hopkins said before joining the Chiefs in the running for the first month. “So I think just playing meaningful football in January is what’s left on the list.”
Hopkins thanked Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon and his staff for sending him to a contender, saying, “Those guys could have traded me anywhere.”
“It means a lot,” Hopkins said. “[Playing for a contender] Take your game to a different level. He [raises] your concentration, your drive, knowing that you’re playing for something.”
School teacher Andy Reid indicated that the Chiefs planned to have Hopkins play games Sunday against the Raiders in Las Vegas, saying “Why wait?” when asked about the possibility.
Hopkins said he would be ready if asked to play.
“I’ve been in the NFL for 12 years, so I know football,” Hopkins said. “I will confidently go out to market and build some features wherever I have support, wherever it’s needed.”
The Chiefs have lost two of their best wide receivers, Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown, for long stretches, if not the entire season. JuJu Smith-Schuster will not play against the Raiders due to hamstring soreness, and Skyy Moore was placed on injured reserve on Thursday.
“He’s a great, veteran player and has feel for everything for 12 years, and he’s a great range player, so he has a great ability to figure out how to work range in the same month,” Reid said of Hopkins. “He’s a tough opponent because of his size, arm range, great frame and he knows how to play games pretty well in the low post phase.”
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said Hopkins has a great catch radius, something that will help quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“He actually has great arms.” Nagy said. “He’s taken probably the fewest drops in NFL history.”
