DeAndre Hopkins has arrived in Kansas City, and the star wide receiver will wear a new jersey number. The Tennessee Titans traded Hopkins to the Chiefs in exchange for a 2025 conditional fifth-round pick. If Kansas City makes the Super Bowl or the wide receiver plays 60% of the snaps in the regular season, the pick will turn into a fourth-round pick.
The Clemson product has worn 10 on his back throughout his career but will now suit up with the No. 8 on his jersey. Why did he switch numbers?
DeAndre Hopkins Gives Reason Behind New Jersey Number
Per Joshua Brisco, Hopkins wore No. 10 on his jersey in tribute to Lionel Messi, but now he will honor Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant with his new jersey number. Before Hopkins’ arrival, another former Clemson wide receiver, Justyn Ross, had the No. 8 jersey for the Chiefs. He will now wear No. 82, and due to the injuries on the offense, Ross could make his season debut soon.
Quick Look at #8 Deandre Hopkins .. #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/Cbq7TAIcdo
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3)
Isiah Pacheco wears No. 10 on the Chiefs, and it would have been hard for Hopkins to convince the star running back to change his jersey number for him. Pacheco has won two Super Bowls in his first two seasons in the league and is a very important player for the team.
Pacheco fractured his fibula in Week 2 and was placed on the injured reserve. He is expected to return in November, and Kareem Hunt will continue to be the team’s leading running back until then.
The Chiefs’ offense has the potential to be very scary come playoff time. If everything goes right, they could have Pacheco and Hunt as their running backs in January. Kansas City could field Hopkins and Xavier Worthy as wide receivers, along with Travis Kelce as the tight end.
Rashee Rice is unlikely to play this season, but if other players on the teams are healthy, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid can work wonders and win their third straight Super Bowl.
Hopkins’ Contract Details
The 32-year-old wideout signed a two-year, $26 million deal with the Titans in 2023. Following the trade, the Titans will pay $2.5 million of Hopkins’ remaining salary of $8 million this year.
The Chiefs did not want to overpay for an aging wide receiver, which is one of the biggest reasons they did not get a deal done for Cooper Kupp. Hopkins will be a free agent after the season and can be a solid contributor to the team for the remainder of the campaign.
In 23 games for the Titans across two seasons, Hopkins had 90 catches for 1,230 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 13.7 yards per reception and 53.5 receiving yards per game.
His numbers will definitely improve with Mahomes as his quarterback, and Hopkins’ presence on the field will make things easier for Kelce, Worthy, and the other wide receivers.
This was a low-risk, high-reward trade for Brett Veach, and the Chiefs general manager did not waste time bringing in the three-time first-team All-Pro to Kansas City. Hopkins is expected to play against the Raiders in Week 8.
