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 performed quite a bit, all of the accolades that I can accomplish so far as private [goals],” Hopkins mentioned earlier than he joined the Chiefs at follow for the primary time. “So I believe 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 workers for sending him to a contender, saying, “These guys may have traded me anyplace.”
“It means quite a bit,” Hopkins mentioned. “[Playing for a contender] takes your sport to a distinct stage. It [raises] your focus, your drive, realizing that you simply’re taking part in for one thing.”
Coach Andy Reid indicated that the Chiefs deliberate for Hopkins to play Sunday towards the Raiders in Las Vegas, saying ‘Why wait?” when requested concerning the chance.
Hopkins mentioned he could be prepared if requested to play.
“I have been within the NFL for 12 years, so I do know soccer,” Hopkins mentioned. “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 durations, if not the season. JuJu Smith-Schuster will not play towards 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 all the things over 12 years, and he is a very good house participant so he has an excellent understanding tips on how to work in house on the similar time,” Reid mentioned of Hopkins. “He is a tricky matchup due to his measurement, arm size, large physique that is aware of tips on how to play that in low submit space very properly.”
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy mentioned Hopkins has a big catch radius, one thing that can assist quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“He has actually, actually good arms.” Nagy mentioned. “He is obtained a number of the least quantity of drops within the historical past of the NFL.”
