The Arizona Cardinals released wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and the Kansas City Chiefs should be interested in signing the former three-time All-Pro. The Chiefs have a glaring need at wide receiver and, if signed, Hopkins would easily be the best receiver on the team. The reigning Super Bowl champions are an ideal fit, but there are some hurdles standing between player and team coming to terms on a contract.
Could the Kansas City Chiefs Sign DeAndre Hopkins?
What Hopkins Wants
Prior to his release, DeAndre Hopkins appeared on the I Am Athlete podcast and discussed his NFL future. During his time on the show, he stated that he wants his next team to have a stable organization, a quarterback that loves the game, and a great defense.
Based on that description, the Chiefs have everything DeAndre Hopkins is looking for. It’s hard to think of a more stable organization, as Andy Reid and Brett Veach are both arguably the best in the league at their respective jobs. Neither guy is going anywhere any time soon, and the fact that this team has won double-digit games in every season of the Patrick Mahomes Era speaks to the talent and organizational stability present in Kansas City.
As far as the quarterback is concerned, who wouldn’t want to play with Patrick Mahomes? The two-time Super Bowl champion is already establishing himself as one of the best to ever do it, and he’s still in the prime of his career. Hopkins himself listed Mahomes as one of the five quarterbacks he wants to play with.
DeAndre Hopkins was asked on @IAMATHLETEpod which QBs he'd love to have throwing him the ball. #Bills QB Josh Allen was quickly his first answer.
Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert rounded out his top-5.pic.twitter.com/gtepzf9JD4
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 22, 2023
The biggest question is the defense. While it’s not an absolute disaster, it could be a lot better. Last year, the team finished 15th in EPA/play and 17th in DVOA, so it’s a pretty pedestrian group. Perhaps all the young talent will take a leap in 2023, but that is anything from a guarantee. Still, the organizational stability and presence of Patrick Mahomes should be enough to offset a mediocre defense and make the Chiefs an attractive landing spot for DeAndre Hopkins.
Does DeAndre Hopkins Make Sense for the Kansas City Chiefs?
DeAndre Hopkins might want to sign with the Chiefs, but do the Chiefs have the need and financial resources to sign Hopkins? Well, the need is obviously there, as Kansas City has one of the worst wide receiver groups in the league.
Kadarius Toney has flashed the ability to be a top receiver in this league, but the former first-round pick has yet to demonstrate the consistency to earn such an honor. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is exclusively a deep threat, Skyy Moore didn’t do much of anything as a rookie, and you never want to place too much confidence in untested players like Rashee Rice and Justyn Ross.
Even if some of those players take a leap in 2023, the Chiefs don’t have somebody with Hopkins’ skill set. The 6′-1″, 212-pound receiver excels at winning in contested situations and using his massive frame to create separation. Kansas City desperately needs someone like that, so DeAndre Hopkins would be a perfect fit with the Chiefs.
We will always have the this, @DeAndreHopkins. #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/rhp6DZNt67
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) May 26, 2023
The biggest question is if they can afford to make this move. The Chiefs won’t be the only team interested in DeAndre Hopkins, and a bidding war could break out for his services. If this happens, Kansas City is going to have a tough time matching the best offers out there. As of this posting, the team only has $652,557 in cap space. By comparison, the New Orleans Saints have $14.3 million in available spending money.
Money will be the biggest hurdle, but perhaps DeAndre Hopkins is willing to take a lesser deal to chase a Super Bowl. If that happens, the 2023 iteration of the Chiefs should be even more dangerous than the 2022 version that won the Super Bowl.
