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DeAndre Hopkins says he hasn't played “meaningful football” in years

DeAndre Hopkins is officially Kansas City's chief and is once again focused on playing with the league's top quarterback and for the league's only undefeated team.

Hopkins said during his first media appearance in Kansas City that he hasn't played significant football since 2021, when the Arizona Cardinals started 8-0 en route to the playoffs. After leaving Arizona, Hopkins spent the last two seasons with the Titans before being traded to KC this week for a conditional fourth-round pick.

“It takes your game to another level,” Hopkins said Thursday of his new opportunity. “It requires your concentration, your drive and the knowledge that you are playing for something. It takes your game to another level.”

“I haven’t played any significant football in a few years, probably since we went 8-0 in Arizona. It takes your game to another level.”

It should be noted that a knee injury forced Hopkins to miss the final five games of the 2021 season for the Cardinals, including a Wild Card playoff loss to the Rams.

Hopkins thanked the Titans on Thursday for trading him to the Chiefs because “those guys could have traded me anywhere.”

Hopkins' final moments in a Titans uniform were anything but motivated or focused. The three-time All-Pro receiver sat out the final three possessions of Sunday's loss to Buffalo, breaking away from the other offensive players and coaches on the sideline after catching a pass for minus-2 yards on his only score.

TRADE TERMS: The Tennessee Titans announce the full terms of the DeAndre Hopkins-Ernest Jones trade

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The situation was harshly commented on by the CBS broadcast team calling the game, with Jason McCourty and Tiki Barber speculating about a possible trade. Hopkins cited “a little soreness” as the reason he had to sit out the fourth quarter, and Titans coach Brian Callahan initially didn't give a reason after the game, but then also said that Hopkins was due to the soreness earlier this week Sideline remained.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid indicated that Hopkins will play against the Raiders on Sunday.

Hopkins may not have played significant football in Nashville after signing a two-year deal with the Titans prior to the 2023 season, but he recorded a 1,000-yard receiving season in 2023 for the first time since 2020 while showing promising chemistry with Will Levis in the second half of the season.

Hopkins' numbers were down in Callahan's new offense through six games in 2024. The 32-year-old receiver had 15 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown. Hopkins was on pace to set his career low in receiving yards for a season. That will likely change in Kansas City.

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