DeAndre Hopkins trade was immediately validated with a great run on MNF

When the Kansas City Chiefs acquired DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans for a low draft pick Brett Veach had no qualms about retiring, the expectation being that he would immediately become a No. 1 or No. 2 option in the passing game. In his first extended action with the team, Hopkins looked good.

Facing a razor-thin Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary, the Chiefs went to Hopkins early and often during this period. About halfway through the second quarter, Hopkins had already recorded six catches for 66 yards, a truly diabolical demonstration of what he can do with Patrick Mahomes.

Hopkins’ first big play with the Chiefs was a spectacular catch from a Mahomes bomb to triple coverage. This grab, which has become a Hopkins signature throughout the league, was followed by his first touchdown with Kansas City, putting the Chiefs ahead by a score of 10–7.

Not just Hopkins keep his feet inward and scored the touchdown, but he set social media on fire with a tribute to “Remember The Titans” as his celebration. Hopkins seems to be fitting in well with his new friends as he hunts for a Super Bowl.

Anyone who thinks Hopkins has lost a step after looking at his numbers with the Tennessee Titans is just box score scouting. Surprisingly, going from Will Levis and Mason Rudolph to one of the worst teams in the league to Mahomes to a contender has reawakened him.

Even if Hopkins doesn’t have astonishing speed at this point in his career, the future Hall of Famer is still one of the best in the league when it comes to making catches in traffic. With extremely sticky hands, Hopkins is immediately the new WR1 in Kansas City.

With Hopkins getting his groove back and Travis Kelce getting more opportunities as defenses have to account for the No. 8 on the outside, the Chiefs offense is finally starting to gain some traction after a few weeks of being stuck in the mud. Expect one a few more highlights on the reels from Hopkins.