Adam Teicher, ESPN Workers Author
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — DeAndre Hopkins has three first-team All-Professional choices and 7 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He has performed on some good groups however by no means one which ventured deep within the playoffs.
So Hopkins says he’s wanting ahead to taking part in for a Tremendous Bowl contender after his commerce to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs was made official Thursday.
“I’ve carried out lots, all of the accolades that I can accomplish so far as private [goals],” Hopkins stated earlier than he joined the Chiefs at follow for the primary time. “So I feel simply taking part in significant soccer in January is what’s left on the listing.”
Hopkins thanked Tennessee Titans basic supervisor Ran Carthon and his employees for sending him to a contender, saying, “These guys may have traded me wherever.”
“It means lots,” Hopkins stated. “[Playing for a contender] takes your recreation to a distinct degree. It [raises] your focus, your drive, figuring out that you just’re taking part in for one thing.”
Coach Andy Reid indicated that the Chiefs deliberate for Hopkins to play Sunday in opposition to the Raiders in Las Vegas, saying ‘Why wait?” when requested in regards to the risk.
Hopkins stated he can be prepared if requested to play.
“I have been within the NFL for 12 years, so I do know soccer,” Hopkins stated. “Hopefully I can go on the market and make some performs wherever I match, wherever I am wanted.”
The Chiefs have misplaced two of their prime vast receivers, Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown, for prolonged intervals if not the season. JuJu Smith-Schuster will not play in opposition to the Raiders due to a sore hamstring, and Skyy Moore was positioned on injured reserve Thursday.
“He is a very good, veteran participant and has seen nearly every little thing over 12 years, and he is a very good house participant so he has an excellent understanding the way to work in house on the identical time,” Reid stated of Hopkins. “He is a troublesome matchup due to his measurement, arm size, huge physique that is aware of the way to play that in low put up space very properly.”
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy stated Hopkins has a big catch radius, one thing that can assist quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“He has actually, actually good fingers.” Nagy stated. “He is obtained among the least quantity of drops within the historical past of the NFL.”
