DeAndre Hopkins made a quiet transition to Kansas City without there ever being too much buzz about it. NFL fans were wondering why the Kansas City Chiefs weren't making any big moves, especially with star wideouts like Davante Adams and Amari Cooper on the market.
With Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice sidelined due to injuries, the Chiefs desperately needed more firepower on the offensive side of the ball. It seems this was just the calm before the storm.
After being traded to the Chiefs, the former Tennessee Titans wideout took to Instagram to share a picture and a video with a one-word caption.
The caption just read, "ACTIVATED..."
According to senior NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Titans would receive a fifth-round pick which could become a fourth-round pick if certain conditions are met in exchange for Hopkins. The Titans are also expected to eat some of Hopkins' remaining salary.
The Chiefs had their eyes on the wide receiver since 2023, after he was released by the Arizona Cardinals, but the Titans beat them to it. Now, however, the Chiefs have gotten what they wanted.
DeAndre Hopkins’s salary in the spotlight
As per Spotrac, the wideout has $8,000,000 left to be paid out this year. The Chiefs just have $4,000,000 of cap space in 2024. And as reported by Rapoport, some of his salary will be paid out by the Titans themselves.
He had inked a two-year, $26,000,000 contract with the Titans, including a $9,815,000 signing bonus, $10,980,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $13,000,000. To date, DeAndre Hopkins has raked in $139,457,889.
DeAndre Hopkins’ 2024 stats in review
So far in the season, he has managed to record 173 yards but just has one touchdown to his name on 15 receptions in 6 games. After Calvin Ridley, he ranks second in terms of receiving yards in his team.
The Titans probably decided to release Hopkins because HC Brian Callahan hasn't been going too strong on the passing game. To put things into perspective, the San Francisco 49ers' Jauan Jennings has more yards than Hopkins in just one game. The Titans are just getting rid of a redundant piece.
He hasn't been able to lift the Vince Lombardi trophy yet though. With the Chiefs undefeated so far and aiming at a three-peat this season, will Hopkins get his chance this year?
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