Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was a solid piece of the Kansas City Chiefs offense after they traded for him from the Tennessee Titans.
In 10 appearances and five starts for Kansas City, he was targeted 59 times, reeling in 41 receptions for 437 yards and four touchdowns. For the Titans, he had 15 receptions, 173 yards and one touchdown.
However, he’s now set to hit free agency, and Aaron Schatz of ESPN projects that Hopkins will leave the Chiefs and sign with their AFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers,
“Ladd McConkey had a special rookie season as the Chargers’ slot receiver, but quarterback Justin Herbert could still use a real No. 1 outside receiver,” Schatz wrote. “The question might be how much Hopkins has left at age 33 after he sort of disappeared for the Chiefs in the playoffs.”
As Schatz wrote, Hopkins did not make much of an impact in three postseason games, totaling three receptions for 29 yards and one touchdown.
This scenario would put Hopkins in a position to help a Chargers offense that has a lot of room for improvement. In 2024, LA ranked 20th in total yards per game (324.2) and 11th in points per game (23.6) in Jim Harbaugh’s first season as head coach.
The Chargers would need to invest a good amount of money if they want to sign him, as Spotrac places his market value at $15.2 million annually.