KANSAS CITY, Mo. – DeAndre Hopkins has accomplished plenty of individual success during his 12-year career. He’s a five-time Pro Bowler, three-time first-team All-Pro and he was the NFL’s touchdown leader in 2017.
What he hasn’t experienced is a Super Bowl.
“I got to thank the Chiefs organization, for allowing me to be part of something like this. It’s been a long time coming,” Hopkins said after the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC championship game. “Been in the league 12 years. You know, the job is not done yet. But to make it this far is a blessing.”
The Chiefs are Hopkins’ fourth team. He began his career in with the Texans, who later traded Hopkins to Arizona for running back David Johnson, a second-round pick and a 2021 fourth-rounder in 2020. He played with the Cardinals for three years and joined the Tennessee Titans in 2023.
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The Chiefs acquired the veteran wideout in an October trade with the sub-.500 Titans. He had 41 receptions, 437 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 10 regular-season games in Kansas City.
Hopkins’ best statistical years came in Houston and Arizona, which included four straight seasons of over 1,100 receiving yards from 2017-20. Yet, he had never made it to an AFC championship game, let along a Super Bowl until joining the Chiefs this year.
“It’s definitely some dark days, especially in organizations I was in. I’ve haven’t made the playoffs (since the 2021 season),” Hopkins said. “I got traded for some pennies in my prime. I was like, ‘man, it’s gonna be tough.’ Went to Arizona, we started off hot a couple times, got traded to Tennessee, and, you know, didn’t get the results.”
Hopkins is enjoying the team results now as he’s on his way to his first ever Super Bowl.
“I’m so happy for those guys,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said of Hopkins and the new players on the team this season. “The smile on their faces, their compete throughout the time that are here has been incredible.”
Hopkins only had one catch for 11 yards during the Chiefs’ AFC championship game win over Buffalo. At this point in Hopkins’ career, though, his personal numbers don’t matter. He’s achieved plenty of individual success during his 12-year NFL journey. The Chiefs just need the veteran wideout to produce when his number is called as franchise chases an historic third straight Super Bowl championship.
“It takes everybody. It takes every single person on the team, and you saw that (Sunday). It was special teams, it was offense, it was defense,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “For us to go through the season and win the games the way that we want them, I’m proud of the team.
‘We’re not to the ultimate goal. It’s going to be a great challenge for us with Philadelphia. I’m excited for the guys preparing and get to New Orleans and put up our best shot.”
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