DeAndre Hopkins has ingrained himself into the Kansas City Chiefs offense, as evidenced by his two-touchdown performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football in Week 9. He has not forgotten who he is or turned his back on where he’s come from, though.
One of Hopkins’ touchdown celebrations raised eyebrows, coming from the movie “Remember the Titans.”
The Chiefs, of course, acquired Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans, who have struggled to a 2-6 record this season. Hopkins took to social media to clear the air that he was not taking a shot at his former team.
TD Celebration a ‘Shout to Tennesee,’ DeAndre Hopkins Says After Chiefs’ Win
Chiefs’ DeAndre Hopkins Was Not Taunting Titans
“It was a shout to Tennessee,” Hopkins posted on X on November 5. “If u know me u know it’s nothing but love for Nashville. [Titans general manager Ran Carthon] and his crew are like family. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”
After getting traded from Tennessee, DeAndre Hopkins is Remembering the Titans
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— ESPN (@espn) November 5, 2024
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Hopkins, 32, caught eight of the nine passes thrown his way for 86 yards and the two scores.
It was a significant step forward from his debut when he caught two of three targets for 29 scoreless yards versus the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8.
DeAndre Hopkins Finding Way With Chiefs
Hopkins admitted that he may have run the wrong route at times in the game as he continues to master the playbook, noting teammates and coaches quiz him regularly to test his understanding of the offense.
But he has had no problem creating enough separation to present a target for Patrick Mahomes.
That was a criticism while he was in Tennessee, and it has stuck in Hopkins’ craw even after he joined his new team.
“He’s so good at winning 1-on-1,” Mahomes told reporters postgame. “To be able to have him down in the red zone, third-down situations – he does a good job of filling out and finding those windows. Kind of like Travis [Kelce] does.
“As he figures out the whole entire offense, he’ll get even better. Because there’s sometimes he’s going places, I’m like, ‘Man, there’s a time and a place for that.’ But that’s what makes him great. And then you give him a chance down the field, and he makes a play. It goes from a play where it might have been a bad decision to a big-time catch.”
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) November 5, 2024
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Hopkins is as different of a receiver from any Mahomes has ever had as the Chiefs star is as a QB for his new wideout.
DeAndre Hopkins Reacts to Patrick Mahomes’ Injury Scary
Mahomes injured his ankle in the win over Tampa Bay. It was nom-contact – though he was landing awkwardly after leaving his feet – and he needed to be carried off the field. Mahomes returned after a brief stint in the blue medical tent.
He and Hopkins admitted the injury got their attention.
“Pat’s a tough guy,” Hopkins said. “We felt [a little freaked out], obviously. He’s the leader of this offense and the leader of this team. So when he went down, everybody was just kind of around him, just seeing was he alright. But, obviously, he got up, and that’s Pat.”
The Chiefs host the Denver Broncos next. Denver ranks third in scoring defense and is ninth against the pass. But they allowed 41 points to the Baltimore Ravens. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson had a perfect passer rating in the game. Mahomes and Hopkins could put forth another big game.
Main Photo: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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