KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Matt Nagy is a former college quarterback, a former head coach of the Chicago Bears and a two-time NFL champion.
As the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs, Nagy was one of the first members of the organization to greet DeAndre Hopkins, the 12-year receiver who entered the team’s training facility Thursday morning following Wednesday’s trade that sent him from the Tennessee Titans to Kansas City.
“I have pretty big hands and he just swallowed my hand,” Nagy said of his first handshake with Hopkins. “He’s got massive hands.”
Nagy and everyone else in the organization hope Hopkins’ large, gifted hands can be a significant factor to help elevate Chiefs offense, a trait that proves to be a differentiating factor in the team becoming the first franchise in NFL history to capture an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl victory.
“His hands are phenomenal,” Nagy said of Hopkins. “I think he’s got some of the least amount of drops in the history of the NFL. The experience that he has, he understands and has seen a bunch of different defenses. That’s valuable.”
The Chiefs are optimistic they’ll see glimpses of Hopkins’ rare skills in Sunday’s rivalry game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
When Hopkins woke up Wednesday morning, he learned that the Titans traded him to the Chiefs in exchange for a conditional 2025 fifth-round NFL Draft 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 are also paying $2.5 million of Hopkins’ salary. The Chiefs needed such help because they entered Wednesday with $4.1 million in salary-cap space, according to Over the Cap.
Hopkins, 32, arrived in downtown Kansas City on Wednesday night and began envisioning his first reception as a Chief, catching a pass from Patrick Mahomes, the NFL’s most talented quarterback.
“I’ve always been a fan of Pat,” Hopkins said before Thursday’s practice. “I stayed in touch with him throughout his career, so I’m excited to get started. He’s one of the best to do it. I’m looking forward to playing with him. I can’t wait.”
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 24, 2024
In a red No. 8 jersey, in honor of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, Hopkins ran smooth routes alongside his new teammates, showcasing his large frame (listed at 6 feet 1 and 212 pounds), leaping ability and strong hands.
“He’s a big receiver that has a huge catch radius,” defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said of Hopkins. “He catches everything. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I’m glad he’s on our team now.”
The Chiefs were motivated to execute a trade following their win Sunday over the San Francisco 49ers, a game that moved their record to 6-0 as the league’s lone undefeated team. But early in the game, veteran receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster aggravated his right hamstring, an injury that will force him to miss the upcoming game against the Raiders. Injuries have sidelined Mahomes’ top three receivers: Smith-Schuster, newcomer Marquise Brown (left shoulder) and rising star Rashee Rice (right knee). Against the 49ers, the Chiefs’ receivers combined for just five receptions on 12 targets for 44 yards.
If Hopkins is in uniform against the Raiders, coach Andy Reid hinted Thursday that his role in limited snaps would be similar to what Smith-Schuster and Rice have done.
“He’s been a proven player,” Reid said of Hopkins. “He’s very good at understanding how to work in space. At the same time, he’s a tough matchup because of his size, arm length and a big body that knows how to play that low-post area very well. He’s a smart guy. That’s exciting. That’s a good thing.
“We’ve got a lot in (the game plan) right now and we’re just trying to get him acclimated in meetings. You can tell he’s a very focused guy. Why wait, right, if he can handle it? He’s seen enough and been around enough to where it’s more of the dialect than the language that he has to learn.”
In six games with the Titans, Hopkins recorded 15 receptions on 21 targets for 173 yards and one touchdown. Although his statistics could’ve been better this season with improved play from Titans quarterback Will Levis, Hopkins is a strong receiver when running routes on the perimeter, which is exactly what the Chiefs need.
D-Hop back in the end zone!
📺: #GBvsTEN – Sunday on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/oOIwtsmVgx— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
When the Titans faced man coverage, which was far less often than zone, Hopkins showed his polished route-running ability to create an easy throwing target, even when he didn’t create sizable separation against a cornerback. Such skills should elevate the Chiefs’ passing production inside the red zone. When the Chiefs have been in the red zone, they have faced plenty of man coverage. The issue is that too often Mahomes’ receivers haven’t been able to create separation or make contested catches.
The question for Nagy over the next month is this: How much will the Chiefs adjust their game plans to Hopkins’ preferences for certain routes over others in their complex playbook to help make his transition as seamless as possible?
“We want to be able to balance taking what he does well and using his strengths and then implementing it into what we do,” Nagy said. “But then also he has to be able to adjust maybe a technique to how he runs a specific route based off of our rules that we have. That’s the fun part when you have somebody come in that’s new.
“Even with JuJu, learning what he did well two years ago. It didn’t happen overnight, but when we got to the Super Bowl against the (Philadelphia) Eagles we really felt comfortable knowing what he could do. We want the same process here with (Hopkins).”
Two months following 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, who were featured in the event. During the event, Jones pitched to Hopkins, who later became a free agent that summer, on the possibility 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 (in free agency), but you know how life works. It’s a full circle, man.
“I think DHop is a guy that’s still able to do it at a high level in the right offense. I think he’s going to be a great addition. Hopefully he’s able to play immediately. We could use his ability on the outside, inside and definitely for him to win one-on-one matchups.”
He’s home 🏠 @DeAndreHopkins pic.twitter.com/Rzzl19c153
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 24, 2024
Similar to Smith-Schuster, Hopkins can gain yards after the catch on crossing routes or routes against zone coverage. If the Chiefs want to use rookie receiver Xavier Worthy’s speed more often from the slot, Hopkins can be effective in running traditional routes from the perimeter. When Smith-Schuster returns in a few weeks, Mahomes should have three pass catchers, along with Hopkins and tight end Travis Kelce, who can devour zone coverage.
Hopkins is the Chiefs’ most experienced receiver. He understands he will be relied upon to offer advice to younger receivers alongside receivers coach Connor Embree.
“I’ve got to thank (Titans general manager) Ran (Carthon) and his staff for trading me to a contender,” Hopkins said. “Those guys could’ve traded me anywhere. I thank them a lot for that. When I got the news, I was excited. I’m ready to get to work.”
A five-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro honoree, Hopkins wants to be remembered for an additional reason when his career ends: as a champion. Appearing in six postseason games, Hopkins has never played in a conference championship game. He acknowledged Thursday that joining the Chiefs could perhaps be the best chance he’ll have in his career to earn a Super Bowl ring.
“It takes your game to a different level, your focus and your drive, knowing you’re playing for something,” he said. “I haven’t played meaningful football in a couple years. I’ve done a lot, all the (individual) accolades I can accomplish. Just playing meaningful football in January is what’s left on the (career) list.”
(Photo: Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
