The Kansas City Chiefs are the reigning AFC champions. So, the target on their back is as large as ever, as the rest of the conference looks to knock Patrick Mahomes and company off their pedestal once the 2025 regular season kicks off.
Kansas City has been in the limelight long enough to know that it should not be doing its rivals any favors in that endeavor. Unfortunately, one of their offseason decisions may have done just that.
A veteran free agent who left the Chiefs this offseason has been shining during training camp as a member of one of the franchise's primary rivals and is doing so on a contract that Kansas City's front office would have undoubtedly been able to match.
Chiefs' Offseason Decision on DeAndre Hopkins Looking Like Disaster
DeAndre Hopkins left the Chiefs this offseason and took his talents to the AFC North by signing a one-year, $5 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
While Hopkins is on the wrong side of 33 years old, he reeled in 56 receptions for 610 yards and five touchdowns during the 2024 campaign with Kansas City and is just two seasons removed from being a 1,000+ yard receiver with the Tennessee Titans. He has been a standout on the offense during camp for Baltimore as well, so any opinions about him being "washed up" appear to be premature.
Losing a veteran capable of that type of production to one of your biggest rivals in the AFC is not good for business, no matter who remains on the depth chart at wide receiver in Kansas City. Not only is Hopkins in tune with the ins and outs of the Chiefs' offense, something that the defensive coaches on the Ravens will undoubtedly tap into when the two square off in Week 4, but he should be able to recognize Kansas City's defensive coverages quicker than other Ravens players when Baltimore owns the ball.
This past season, the Chiefs won 11 one-possession games, tying the single-season NFL record. There is a certain level of luck that went into that accomplishment. Banking on that to be the case again this season, regardless of how talented Kansas City is at positions as important as quarterback, is a tough ask.
This is why losing productive players to the biggest threats to their continued reign at the top of the AFC is problematic for the Chiefs. We'll have to wait and see how that Week 4 matchup at Arrowhead Field plays out.