(This story was updated to add new information.)
The Houston Texans will still face former All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins, but he won’t be returning to NRG Stadium in 2024.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Kansas City Chiefs are working to finalize a trade that would send the Tennessee Titans wide receiver to Arrowhead Stadium in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick.
That draft pick will become a fourth-round selection if the Chiefs reach the Super Bowl and the former start plays 60% of the snaps with Kansas City.
Hopkins, 32, is expected to suit up for the AFC West front-runners against the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday.
It’s happening: Titans and Chiefs are working to finalize a trade that would send WR DeAndre Hopkins to Kansas City, league sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/aEeKEgI2D8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 23, 2024
With Hopkins out of the AFC South, the Texans won’t face him on Nov. 24 or Jan. 6. Instead, Houston must slow him down on Saturday, Dec. 21, when the team travels to Kansas City for a potential playoff preview.
Hopkins being moved is far from a surprise. Sitting at 1-5, the Titans are looking to continue their rebuild under first-year coach Brian Callahan. Outside of Calvin Ridley and J.C. Latham, several offensive players could be on the move before the Nov. 5 deadline.
The Chiefs, who remain the last undefeated team in the league, have needed a receiver for weeks. Second-year star Rashee Rice suffered a right knee injury in Week 4 that required season-ending surgery. Kansas City also Marquise Brown to a shoulder injury in the preseason that was expected to be season-ending.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, the team’s No. 3 option, suffered a hamstring injury in last week’s win over the San Francisco 49ers and has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Hopkins, who inked a two-year deal last offseason with the Titans, is in the final year of his contract and looking to secure a Super Bowl title. He’s at full strength after suffering a torn MCL during the offseason and hasn’t missed a beat as Tennessee’s No. 2 option.
Through six games, Hopkins has caught 15 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. He’s now the third receiver to be traded in the past week, joining Davante Adams (New York Jets) and Amari Cooper (Buffalo Bills).
Best night of sleep ever for DeAndre Hopkins? 😅 pic.twitter.com/iaBRCu0q94
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 23, 2024
While Hopkins is no longer the All-Pro that made headlines in Houston, he’s a serviceable No. 1 option as Rice’s place replacement and opposite rookie Xavier Worthy and tight end Travis Kelce. The addition gives quarterback Patrick Mahomes another target as Kansas City looks to secure a third consecutive Lombardi Trophy.
At one point, the hope was to have Hopkins in Houston when winning its first title. The Texans must now slow down their former go-to guy if they plan on making it to New Orleans in February.
The Texans return to NRG Stadium this week to take on the Indianapolis Colts.