Kansas City Chiefs training camp and with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins still available on the open market, the possibility remains for Kansas City to add an All-Pro offensive weapon before the 2023 season begins.
Hopkins visited the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans in June, receiving offers from both clubs. While he’s still in talks with the two teams, the veteran wide receiver is letting the process unfold with the hopes of a better opportunity becoming available.
- DeAndre Hopkins stats (career): 853 receptions, 11,298 receiving yards, 71 touchdowns
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The Chiefs have long been viewed as the perfect landing spot for Hopkins. While he would be the second receiving option behind Travis Kelce, Hopkins could provide Kansas City with a red-zone weapon and contested-catch specialist who is still capable of a 1,000-yard season.
During an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler shared that Kansas City remains interested in Hopkins and there are still communications with his representatives. However, money is standing in the way of a deal with the Chiefs.
“The Chiefs have kept in contact, I’m told, with DeAndre Hopkins’ camp. They have, certainly, some interest. The problem is money, they don’t have much of it, they’re really tight on the salary cap.”
Jeremy Fowler on Kansas City Chiefs interest in DeAndre Hopkins
In July, the Chiefs currently have just $409,942 in cap space. Even if Hopkins signed a deal for the minimum, which he isn’t willing to do, Kansas City can’t afford to sign him right now. So, it leaves the franchise looking for ways to generate cap space.
- DeAndre Hopkins career earnings: $111.577 million
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Extending Jones is the only viable option. The All-Pro defensive tackle is eligible for NFL free agency in 2024, but he wants to finish his career in Kansas City. The Chiefs could make him one of the highest-paid NFL players and create millions of dollars in cap space for the 2023 season by extending him this summer.
However, negotiations take time and both the Patriots and Titans have the cap space to sign Hopkins right now. While no team has offered him the money and opportunity he’s looking forward, the team that comes closest will have Hopkins in uniform for Week 1.
