DeAndre Hopkins Rumors: Chiefs Wanted WR 'Badly' in 2023; Linked to Potential Trade

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The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly may consider a move for Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins amid the team's mounting injuries at wideout.

Appearing Saturday on SportsCenter, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said the Chiefs wanted to sign Hopkins "badly" when he was a free agent prior to the 2023 season, but they couldn't get a deal done, and D-Hop signed a two-year, $26 million contract with the Titans instead.

While Fowler stopped short of reporting that the Chiefs are actively trying to trade for Hopkins, he said, "Maybe they at least make the call," on the heels of receivers Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice being placed on injured reserve.

After the Arizona Cardinals released Hopkins, he was a hot commodity on the free-agent market, and the Titans ultimately secured him on a two-year deal.

Although the Titans struggled to a 6-11 record last season, Hopkins recorded the seventh 1,000-yard season of his illustrious career, finishing with 75 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns.

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The 32-year-old veteran built a solid rapport with quarterback Will Levis, who was a rookie in 2023, but the connection hasn't been quite as present so far this season, as Hopkins has just 10 grabs for 121 yards and one score through four games.

A big reason for that is the fact that the Titans signed both Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in free agency, meaning there have been far fewer targets to go around.

Fowler noted that the Titans "don't really want to sell pieces off right now," but they are only 1-3 on the season, and if things continue to go south, it stands to reason that they will be more open to moves closer to the trade deadline on Nov. 5.

The Chiefs overcame their shortcomings at wide receiver last season to win a second straight Super Bowl, but they addressed the situation during the offseason by signing Brown and using a first-round pick on speedster Xavier Worthy.

Brown has not appeared in a game this season, though, and it is expected he will miss the entire regular season due to a shoulder injury, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Rice was carrying the pass-catcher load for the Kansas City offense through three games with 24 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns, but he suffered a knee injury last week when quarterback Patrick Mahomes accidentally fell into his legs while trying to make a tackle following an interception.

Schefter (h/t ESPN's Adam Teicher) reported that the Chiefs feared Rice had suffered a torn ACL after he was ruled out for the remainder of the game. That has yet to be confirmed, so while it is possible the Chiefs avoided the worst-case scenario, Rice will miss at least the next four games after going on IR, and he will undergo additional testing after swelling in his knee subsides.

Regardless of the severity of Rice's injury, Hopkins could be an ideal addition for the Chiefs as a big, physical, experienced receiver opposite the speed demon in Worthy.

The 4-0 Chiefs also represent Hopkins' best opportunity to win the first Super Bowl of his career, so it is possible there could be some mutual interest as the deadline approaches.