DeAndre Hopkins already a difference-maker for the Chiefs and GM Brett Veach

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Looking back just three weeks later, the Chiefs' first practice with receiver DeAndre Hopkins has proved to be one of the season's most significant days.

Three key members of the Chiefs' brain trust — general manager Brett Veach, coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes — watched every Hopkins move that day, his first repetitions just 36 hours after he arrived in Kansas City after a trade from the Tennessee Titans .

Instead of being timid, Hopkins, the 11th-year veteran, was assertive. He chose to be at the front of the line among the receivers when the offense went through its install of plays ahead of facing the Las Vegas Raiders . Hopkins wanted to run as many routes as he could with Mahomes. He wanted feedback from Reid. And Hopkins was vocal, leading the discussions in first conversations with fellow receivers including rookie Xavier Worthy and veterans Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman .

"You never really know when you bring a guy in, especially midway through the season," Veach said Wednesday of Hopkins in a sit-down interview with a group of reporters. "I think we had a lot of confidence just because of the career he's had and the experience he's had. Once we got him, we were pretty confident right away just by his demeanor the first day of practice."

Veach, an executive known for his aggressiveness, has made several midseason trades to help sustain the Chiefs' success during the dynasty — defensive end Melvin Ingram (2021), receiver Kadarius Toney (2022) and Hardman (2023).

"Usually, the first practice is a feeling-out experience," Veach said.

Three games into his latest gamble, Veach might have produced his best midseason trade yet with Hopkins.

Since joining the Chiefs, Hopkins has generated 14 receptions on 17 targets for 171 yards and two touchdowns, the top marks among the team's receivers. He has become a difference-maker for the 9-0 Chiefs ahead of Sunday's clash with the Buffalo Bills (8-2).

Mahomes praised Hopkins for his professionalism and for being a quick study for an injury-plagued offensive unit.

"I watched some of Tennessee's tape, but you didn't know what to expect," Mahomes said. "He gets in the room and he's a leader from day one. He's teaching younger guys in the room about stuff he's learned. Then you get him on the practice field and you see how explosive he still is and how he can still make these (highlight) plays.

"It was definitely a pleasant surprise for me. I can even give him more and more chances as (the season) goes on because it seems he's making plays every time I d0."

Mahomes' first target to Hopkins this season was a perfect example of the quarterback's trust and the receiver's route-running knowledge.

The first third down of the game against the Raiders showed that Hopkins can get open and be in sync with Mahomes. Hopkins made an impressive leaping catch against the Raiders' zone coverage for a 13-yard gain. The drive culminated in a touchdown.

"Coach Reid has definitely pushed me, just being detailed and making sure I understand the whole concept of the play," Hopkins said. "He's always watching everything that you do. There's a standard that he has and you feel it in the locker room."

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The next week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , Mahomes attempted one of his boldest passes of the season, a jump pass deep toward the middle of the field while the pocket crumbled around him. When Mahomes released his pass, three defenders were gravitating toward Hopkins, who initially ran the wrong route but improvised by sprinting upfield. Mahomes' pass had a 12.3 percent completion probability, the fourth-most improbable completion of the season — and the most improbable by Mahomes since Week 16 of 2018, according to Next Gen Stats. Hopkins caught the ball between two defenders for a season-long 35-yard reception.

"My first cousin, (former linebacker) Terrance Smith , played here and used to tell me how smart (Mahomes) was and how motivating he was as a (teammate)," Hopkins said. "Everything I've heard about him has been true, just how great he is as a player and as a person."

Indeed, Mahomes was one of the main reasons Hopkins first considered joining the Chiefs two offseasons ago. In late March 2023, during free agency, the Arizona Cardinals allowed Hopkins to speak with other teams about a potential trade, including the Chiefs.

"We had multiple conversations with him; Andy did," Veach said. "We were right there at the end."

Two months after the Chiefs' victory in Super Bowl LVII, pass rusher Chris Jones was in Miami to participate in "The Catch," a single-day saltwater fishing tournament on the coast of Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Jones was one of six NFL players, along with Hopkins, featured in the event. During the competition, Jones pitched Hopkins on the idea of him joining the Chiefs.

"We both agreed that he would be super successful with this offense," Jones said. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to acquire him at the time, but you know how life works. It's a full circle, man.

Unable to agree to a deal, the Cardinals released Hopkins, a five-time Pro Bowler, in late May 2023. Hopkins signed with the Titans in late July 2023, just before training camp, for a two-year, $26 million deal.

"Tennessee just got to a place we couldn't do," Veach said. "We were in more of a one-year type of deal."

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After Veach revamped the Chiefs' receiver corps this offseason, the team experienced one injury after another at the position. Newcomer Marquise Brown sustained a left shoulder injury in August on the opening snap of the preseason. In Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers , rising star Rashee Rice suffered season-ending right knee injury.

"We felt if we just waited a few weeks, maybe there would be some different (receivers) available," Veach said of the trade market days after Rice's injury. "That worked out with Tennessee. The timing worked out with DeAndre."

In the Chiefs' win over the San Francisco 49ers in October, veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster aggravated a hamstring injury. Three days later, in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, the Chiefs agreed to the trade with the Titans for Hopkins.

The Chiefs sent the Titans a conditional 2025 fifth-round pick. The pick will become a fourth-rounder if Hopkins plays 60 percent of the Chiefs' offensive snaps and the team reaches Super Bowl LIX. The Titans also agreed to pay $2.5 million of Hopkins' salary.

"You have to have a little bit of luck here and we only have so much (salary-) cap space to work with," Veach said. "We're limited in some regards. It's a little tricky because, projecting forward, there's a sense of go and urgency because we all know what's at stake and what we're playing for."

The Chiefs are playing for an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl victory.

After the trade, Hopkins, 32, became the Chiefs' most experienced receiver. He thanked Titans general manager Ran Carthon and his staff for trading him to a Super Bowl contender. Eleven days later, Hopkins became emotional during a short postgame interview on the field after the Chiefs' overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in prime time. Hopkins was one of the Chiefs' stars that night, scoring two touchdowns. After his first score, a 1-yard reception in the back of the end zone, Hopkins honored the Titans by leading his new teammates in replicating the pregame dance scene of T.C. Williams High in the film "Remember the Titans."

"It's one of my favorite movies," Hopkins said, smiling. "I knew if I got in the end zone, I was going to hit the 'Remember the Titans' (celebration)."

Last week against the Denver Broncos , Reid said he was impressed with Hopkins' fortitude as he often competed one-on-one against Pat Surtain II , one of the league's best cornerbacks. One of the few times Hopkins wasn't running a route against Surtain, he made a leaping 12-yard catch on cornerback Riley Moss , who drove him hard into the turf.

"He's always been a great player," Reid said of Hopkins. "What he is is what you saw Sunday on the one catch on the crossing route. He's dirty tough. He lands on the ball. He's able to get up and shows no sign of weakness and wants to get back in and go. He's great with the contested (catches)."

If Hopkins continues his success for the rest of the season, he could accomplish a rather remarkable feat, perhaps leading the Chiefs' receivers in yards and touchdowns.

"He's helped us a ton already," Veach said. "He can improve even more down the line."

Injury update

For the first time since Week 7, Smith-Schuster was back on the practice field, as he was a limited participant in Wednesday's on-field work. Reid said he has a good chance of returning to the lineup on Sunday.

The Chiefs also opened the 21-day practice window for running back Isiah Pacheco (broken fibula) and defensive end Charles Omenihu (torn ACL). Both players were limited, although Reid said they are unlikely to be in uniform Sunday.

Left tackle Wanya Morris (right knee) was a full participant after he aggravated his injury in last week's win over the Broncos.

(Photo: David Eulitt / )