Just four days after being acquired by the Chiefs in a trade, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins made an impact early in a win over the Raiders on Sunday in Las Vegas.
On the third play of the Chiefs’ 27-20 victory, Hopkins caught a 13-yard pass on a third-and-7 play. Hopkins’ only other catch was a 16-yard reception, but he was open in the end zone on a touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to tight end Travis Kelce.
DeAndre Hopkins didn't get the ball here, but check his route up top. Defeats man coverage immediately. Wide open.
I'd expect to see this play a few more times in the future with Hopkins as the primary. pic.twitter.com/J5EC9btOie
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) October 29, 2024
On the latest episode of the New Heights podcast, Kelce raved about Hopkins’ influence on the team.
“It’s awesome, man. Having D-hop in the building, have another vet, a guy that he’s such a … I call him Swag Champs,” Kelce said. “When you get a vet into the building, and he just juices everybody’s confidence up. He juices everybody, like the aura and the fun that you have in the building and just going to work. He’s just another guy that you can always rely on to show up and put in the work, but enjoy what he’s doing and try and have some fun with it. Man, he’s been awesome stepping up and stepping into the building.
“He had two days, Thursday and Friday during practice, to get timing with Pat and in the offense to try and kind of get into the routine everything with coach (Andy) Reid’s way of doing things. And, man, he’s just professional, just a professional guy. He came in asking questions, trying to get caught up as fast as possible. And sure enough, we get him in the building and I think the first third down we had, we went right to him, baby. Yeah, right to him. And he’s right on time, man.”
Here is that play.
Hopkins and Kelce on an opening drive TD. Dream scenario pic.twitter.com/2pDsp07Olo
— Cody Tapp (@codybtapp) October 27, 2024
Kelce gushed about Hopkins’ presence in the locker room and expects great things going forward.
“He’s such a professional,” Kelce said. “He knows how to win football games. He knows how to be accountable. You don’t need to tell that guy much. He gets it. He gets it and he’s only made us better already, and I promise you, as he gets more incorporated into the offense and gets more in tune with Pat, and how Pat likes to do things, and how he likes to do things for Pat, you know, I think all that will just make him a very vital part of this offense.
“It’s fun to have him in the building. It is. Like I said, he’s Swag Champ, just the coolest guy you know. And he definitely juices up the room and juices up the huddle.”
