Chiefs TE Travis Kelce discusses DeAndre Hopkins’ veteran presence: ‘He’s just professional’

Kansas City #Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce discusses DeAndre Hopkins’ veteran presence: ‘He’s just professional’ | @EdEastonJr

The moves being made by the Kansas City Chiefs front office are preparing the team for a hopeful three-peat run. Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce serves as a leader on the team, and he doesn’t hold back on uplifting new teammates when they join the organization.

On the latest episode of the New Heights podcast, Kelce praised DeAndre Hopkins’ immediate veteran presence on the team.

“It’s awesome, man. Having D-Hop (DeAndre Hopkins) in the building, have another vet, a guy, he’s such a,  I call him ‘Swag Champ’ when you get a vet into the building, and he juices everybody’s confidence up,” said Kelce. “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.”

Hopkins will have a more prominent role in the offense after his brief cameo in the Week 8 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

“He had two days, Thursday and Friday during practice, to get timing with Pat (Patrick Mahomes) and in the offense to try and kind of get into the routine, everything with coach (Andy) Reid’s way of doing things,” said Kelce. “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 got 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.”

The Chiefs return to action on Monday Night Football with Hopkins and recently acquired linebacker Joshua Uche taking center stage in front of a national audience.

Chiefs vs. Buccaneers Week 9: How to watch, listen and stream

Check out everything you need to know to watch the #Chiefs’ Week 9 matchup against the #Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football.”

The Kansas City Chiefs remain undefeated after eight weeks and are headed back home to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, November 4 in a Super Bow LV rematch.

The Chiefs have continued to make big moves ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline, adding pass rusher Joshua Uche via trade from the New England Patriots earlier this week on top of their acquisition of veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins last week.

Kansas City remains the hottest team in the league, and the additions of Hopkins and Uche will undoubtedly provide a shot in the arm for the Chiefs as they look to keep their perfect season intact.

Below are important game details about this Week 9 matchup:

Game information:

Who: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

When: Sunday, November 4, 7:15 p.m. CST

Where: Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri

Streaming:

In-market live stream: FuboTV (free 7-day trial)

Streaming: NFL+ or ESPN+

Broadcast:

TV: ESPN (Channel 33) (Watch FREE with Fubo)

Radio: KFNZ-FM (96.5 The Fan)

Broadcasters:

Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (analyst), Lisa Salters (sideline)

Opponent wire site:

Bucs Wire

2024 Schedule:

Week Date Opponent Time
1 Thursday, Sept. 5 vs. Baltimore Ravens (W 27-20 ) 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC
2 Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (W 26-25) 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS
3 Sunday, Sept. 22 @ Atlanta Falcons (W 22-17) 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC
4 Sunday, Sept. 29 @ Los Angeles Chargers (W 17-10) 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS
5 Monday, Oct. 7 vs. New Orleans Saints (W 26-13) 7:15 p.m CT on ESPN
6 BYE BYE BYE
7 Sunday, Oct. 20 @ San Francisco 49ers (W 28-18) 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX
8 Sunday, Oct. 27 @ Las Vegas Raiders (W 27-20) 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS
9 Monday, Nov. 4 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7:15 p.m. CT on ESPN
10 Sunday, Nov. 10 vs. Denver Broncos Noon CT on CBS
11 Sunday, Nov. 17 @ Buffalo Bills 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS
12 Sunday, Nov. 24 @ Carolina Panthers Noon CT on CBS
13 Friday, Nov. 29 vs Las Vegas Raiders 2 p.m. CT on Prime
14 Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Los Angeles Chargers 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC
15 Sunday, Dec. 15 @ Cleveland Browns Noon CT on CBS
16 Saturday, Dec. 21 vs. Houston Texans Noon CT on NBC
17 Wednesday, Dec. 25 @ Pittsburgh Steelers Noon CT on Netflix
18 Sunday, Jan. 5 @ Denver Broncos TBD

 

Chiefs cap space: Latest numbers after trades for DeAndre Hopkins, Joshua Uche

The Kansas City #Chiefs will have to get creative if they want to add another player before the NFL’s trade deadline.

The Kansas City Chiefs are officially all-in on their quest to complete the NFL’s first-ever Super Bowl three-peat after trading with the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and pass-rusher Joshua Uche.

Hopkins, who was dealt to Kansas City by Tennessee, is expected to play a key role in the Chiefs’ offense after injuries have decimated the defending champions’ receiving corps through seven games.

Uche was Kansas City’s latest acquisition by way of New England and should fit in well with Chris Jones and George Karlaftis on the Chiefs’ front four in Steve Spagnuolo’s gritty defense.

The deals that landed Hopkins and Uche didn’t come without a cost, though. After acquiring both players, Kansas City has effectively hit the NFL’s salary cap limit, with less than $1 million remaining available to spend.

 

Expect the Chiefs to get creative with the contracts they currently have on the books if injuries necessitate further roster moves through the rest of the season.

 

Retired All-Pro wide receiver speaks highly of DeAndre Hopkins’ potential with the Chiefs

Retired All-Pro Steve Smith Sr. speaks highly of DeAndre Hopkins’ potential with the Kansas City #Chiefs | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are undefeated through seven games this season as they seek an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl. The front office added veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to help solidify their wide receiver depth, much to the appreciation of a former All-Pro receiver turned analyst.

On a recent episode of his ’89’ podcast with NFL Insider James Palmer, Steve Smith Sr. praised the Hopkins acquisition and his instant chemistry in the Chiefs’ offense.

“He’s been on the football field between his career in college and then the NFL, all the Pro Bowls, all the practices, all the old school training camp, the new school training camp. OTAs, I think he’ll be fine,” said Smith. “He’s playing with one of the smartest offensive-minded coaches known to mankind, named Andy Reid.”

Following various injuries, the multiple-time Pro Bowler will play a significant role in the Chiefs’ offense in the next few weeks. He was targeted three times and hauled in two catches in his debut without much practice time after his trade from the Tennessee Titans.

49ers can’t continue waiting to get aggressive in trade market

The 49ers can’t sit around and wait for the trade market to dry up.

It’s clear after eight weeks that the San Francisco 49ers’ roster, as currently constructed, isn’t a viable Super Bowl contender.

Injuries have played a role, to be sure, but the 49ers badly need help at multiple positions if they’re going to make a run after their Week 9 Bye.

Unfortunately for the 49ers, they won’t have another game before the Nov. 5 trade deadline. They know everything they’re going to know about their roster by the time the deadline passes, save for how running back Christian McCaffrey will respond as he ramps up to return from his Achilles tendinitis.

San Francisco has been aggressive in the trade market in the past, and it’s time for them to hit the gas pedal again.

The Kansas City Chiefs, a Super Bowl contender, have already acquired wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans and edge rusher Josh Uche from the New England Patriots. Hopkins was available for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft. Uche was had for a 2026 sixth-round selection.

Perhaps San Francisco wasn’t looking for a receiver of Hopkins’s caliber, but they need edge help and Uche would have been an upgrade over a player like Robert Beal.

Elsewhere in the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens bolstered their receiving corps by sending a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for WR Diontae Johnson and a 2025 sixth-round pick.

In the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw to a season-ending knee injury. They filled that gaping hole by dealing a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for left tackle Cam Robinson and a conditional seventh-round pick.

These are Super Bowl contenders that have identified areas of weakness on their rosters and sent out relatively limited draft capital to buttress them. If the 49ers want to be in that group, they should be acting now before other contenders start scooping up available contributors.

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Andy Reid shares his thoughts on DeAndre Hopkins’ Chiefs debut: ‘He looked good out there’

Andy Reid shares his thoughts on DeAndre Hopkins’ Kansas City #Chiefs debut: ‘He looked good out there’ | @EdEastonJr

The undefeated Kansas City Chiefs are heading home after a successful road trip with their eyes set on more next Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The latest wide receiver addition to the team, DeAndre Hopkins, will likely be a heavily targeted option after having his first full week of practice in Kansas City.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed reporters on Monday via Zoom, discussing Hopkins’ debut against the Las Vegas Raiders.

“I thought he (DeAndre Hopkins) looked good out there – did a nice job,” said Reid. “He did a nice job in the run game, did a nice job in the pass game, had the big third down catch right off the bench, and did well with that. He’s a good football player. Being able to fit in more will even be better, I think, as we go forward here. He was chomping at the bit on the sideline, wanting to play and, at the same time, knowing that he didn’t have all of it down, so there was patience there, but he was into the game, and I think you’ll be able to see more this next game.”

Hopkins seemed to be on the same page with Mahomes catching two passes on Sunday. He wasn’t on many plays as he continued to adjust to his new team, arriving only days before the game.

Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins took to Instagram after Week 8 win vs. Raiders

See what #Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins had to say on Instagram after Kansas City’s Week 8 win over the Las Vegas #Raiders.

The Kansas City Chiefs are undefeated after their 27-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, and newly acquired wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins seems to be fully embracing his new home

The Chiefs traded for Hopkins last week in a deal with the Tennessee Titans that general manager Brett Veach hopes will soften the blow of losing wideouts Rashee Rice and Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, who are currently on injured reserve.

After Kansas City’s win over the Raiders in Week 8,  Hopkins took to Instagram to celebrate his first victory as a member of the defending Super Bowl champions’ roster.

Take a look at Hopkins’ post on Instagram after his first game with the reigning Super Bowl champs:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBpYaV7y_LW/?img_index=1

Though the All-Pro finished the game with just two receptions for 29 yards, his workload is expected to increase every week as he continues to learn the Chiefs’ offense.

Fans should expect to see Hopkins back in action when Kansas City takes on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arrowhead Stadium on November 4.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes comments on reaching 30,000 career passing yards: ‘It takes everybody’

Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes comments on reaching 30,000 career passing yards: ‘It takes everybody’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 27-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8 was more than an AFC West rivalry win, as their superstar quarterback made NFL history on the day.

Patrick Mahomes’ 16-yard completion to newly acquired Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in the closing minute of the second quarter clinched the honor of becoming the fastest player to throw for 30,000 career passing yards. The reigning Super Bowl MVP shared his thoughts on the latest milestone he’s reached already this season.

“I didn’t even know about that until after the game and them telling me. Obviously, (it’s) an amazing accomplishment. It speaks to the organization I’m in.” said Mahomes. “It speaks to the people I have around me, the coaches I have around me and the players. It takes everybody. I think just being able to execute and get to that milestone is awesome, but we have a lot more to do, and we’ve had a great start to the season and want to keep building on that.”

Mahomes overtook Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s previous record of 109 games after completing this milestone in only 103 games. He finished his record-setting day throwing for 262 yards on 27 completions with two touchdowns and tallying 17 yards on six rushing attempts.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes recaps first game with DeAndre Hopkins: ‘He did a great job’

Kansas City #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes recaps first game with DeAndre Hopkins: ‘He did a great job’ | @EdEastonJr

On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated their AFC West rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders, extending their undefeated record to 7-0. The defending champions also debuted their latest wide receiver acquisition in the victory.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes praised the performance of DeAndre Hopkins during his post-game press conference about his first game since the trade.

“I thought he did a great job. It was third down, and he had the big catch early in the game, and then he had a couple of other big plays,” said Mahomes. “I missed him on the one corner route early but still got open. And then, as I looked back at the tablet, there were a couple of times where, in man coverage, he was just really working and winning. Even the touchdown to Trav (Travis Kelce) I threw, if you look back on his side, he’s open too for a touchdown there. Now that you see that, I know the type of player he is – but you see that on the field, it shows that if they’re going to play man coverage against him, he’s going to get open. I have to give him chances to go out there and make plays.”

Hopkins was targeted three times in the victory, finishing with two catches for 29 yards in brief stints on the field. Mahomes is confident the five-time All-Pro can figure out the offense quickly.

“Honestly, it’s high-level stuff, just because it was zone coverage, they were in the right spot, he pulled up in the right window, stuff you see Trav do a lot, you see JuJu (Smith-Schuster) do a lot,” said Mahomes. “I was able to throw the ball, and I’ve talked about it a little bit; he has good body language when he runs routes, so you can tell what he’s going to do before he does it. We had only practiced that play, I think, once, maybe twice. For third down in that situation, for him to run it and be in the right position, it shows that he’s going to fit in perfectly in this offense.”

The Chiefs’ next play at home for Week 9 on Monday Night Football gives Hopkins more time to master the entire playbook.

Chiefs vs. Raiders Week 8: How to watch, listen and stream

Check out everything you need to know to watch the Kansas City #Chiefs take on the Las Vegas #Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Week 8.

The Kansas City Chiefs are the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL this season and are headed to Sin City to face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, October 27.

The week’s biggest news relative to the Chiefs was the addition of veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who is joining the defending Super Bowl champions after Rashee Rice and Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown were placed on injured reserve.

Kansas City remains the hottest team in the league, and the addition of Hopkins will undoubtedly provide a shot in the arm for Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid as they look to keep their perfect season intact.

Below are important game details about this Week 8 matchup:

Game information:

Who: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders

When: Sunday, October 27, 3:25 p.m. CST

Where: Allegiant Stadium – Las Vegas, Nevada

Streaming:

In-market live stream: FuboTV (free 7-day trial)

Streaming: NFL+ or Paramount+

Broadcast:

TV: KCTV, CBS (Channel 5) (Watch FREE with Fubo)

Radio: KFNZ-FM (96.5 The Fan)

Broadcasters:

Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Trent Green (analyst), Melanie Collins (sideline)

Opponent wire site:

Raiders Wire

2024 Schedule:

Week Date Opponent Time
1 Thursday, Sept. 5 vs. Baltimore Ravens (W 27-20 ) 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC
2 Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (W 26-25) 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS
3 Sunday, Sept. 22 @ Atlanta Falcons (W 22-17) 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC
4 Sunday, Sept. 29 @ Los Angeles Chargers (W 17-10) 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS
5 Monday, Oct. 7 vs. New Orleans Saints (W 26-13) 7:15 p.m CT on ESPN
6 BYE BYE BYE
7 Sunday, Oct. 20 @ San Francisco 49ers (W 28-18) 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX
8 Sunday, Oct. 27 @ Las Vegas Raiders 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS
9 Monday, Nov. 4 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7:15 p.m. CT on ESPN
10 Sunday, Nov. 10 vs. Denver Broncos Noon CT on CBS
11 Sunday, Nov. 17 @ Buffalo Bills 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS
12 Sunday, Nov. 24 @ Carolina Panthers Noon CT on CBS
13 Friday, Nov. 29 vs Las Vegas Raiders 2 p.m. CT on Prime
14 Sunday, Dec. 8 vs. Los Angeles Chargers 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC
15 Sunday, Dec. 15 @ Cleveland Browns Noon CT on CBS
16 Saturday, Dec. 21 vs. Houston Texans Noon CT on NBC
17 Wednesday, Dec. 25 @ Pittsburgh Steelers Noon CT on Netflix
18 Sunday, Jan. 5 @ Denver Broncos TBD