Losing Rashee Rice to an injury has left the Kansas City Chiefs weaker at the wide receiver position. According to an NFL analysis, though, the team could address that concern by trading for Tennessee Titans’ DeAndre Hopkins.
Just recently, Patrick Mahomes has expressed unwavering confidence in the Chiefs’ wide receiver corps, despite recent injuries to key players Marquise Brown and Rice. Meanwhile, the team showcased their offensive potential in their previous game against the New Orleans Saints, where the quarterback surpassed 300 passing yards and the team rushed for 139 yards.
With the trade deadline approaching, the performance of the wide receivers may influence management’s decisions. In the absence of Brown and Rice, the team is relying on rookie Xavier Worthy and veterans like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman.
While there are concerns about the wide receiver depth, especially given past struggles, Mahomes remains optimistic. He credited general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid for assembling a roster that can adapt and perform under pressure. The success of supporting players like Hardman and Worthy in recent games has bolstered this confidence.
What the Chiefs need is someone who can step in and take Rice’s spot in the starting lineup without requiring any sort of serious commitment for next season. Looking around the league for veterans who fit that role, there’s an obvious fit in Hopkins. He’s owed approximately $6 million over the remainder of the season, but the 32-year-old former Texans star is a free agent in 2025.
The Chiefs already have speed in Worthy and Mecole Hardman, along with backs and tight ends who can catch the football, but Hopkins would be the “X” receiver they don’t have on their roster. Hopkins has been a part-time player for the Titans while recovering from a torn MCL suffered during the offseason, with the five-time Pro Bowler having played 43% of the offensive snaps through the first five games. Kansas City could let him continue to work his way into the lineup in a part-time role as he heals during the season before ramping up his snaps in December and January. The team already has a 94% chance of winning the AFC West, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. Kansas City aims to enhance their Super Bowl chances by adding a proven playmaker. While discussions are ongoing, the move would likely involve future draft picks. Ultimately, if the Chiefs secure Hopkins, it could provide a substantial boost to their championship aspirations as they navigate a challenging season ahead.
