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DeAndre Hopkins' Arrival Already Caused Chiefs WR to Give Something Up

DeAndre Hopkins is officially a Kansas City Chief. While his arrival is exciting, it's forcing one Chiefs wideout to give up something important.

By Devon Platana

Former Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins fields questions from the media on the second day of training camp Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Former Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins fields questions from the media on the second day of training camp Thursday, July 25, 2024. / Denny Simmons/The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Kansas City Chiefs acquisition DeAndre Hopkins officially made his team debut during Thursday's press conference. The Chiefs brought the veteran playmaker in from the Tennessee Titans earlier this week as to help with an injury-plagued wideout room as the franchise gears up for a potential Super Bowl run.

Hopkins talked to reporters about various topics, ranging from his excitement of joining the Chiefs to a jersey number change. The 32-year-old has spent his entire NFL career wearing No. 10, however, that number currently belongs to running back Isiah Pacheco.

So, which number is Hopkins wearing going forward?

Chiefs News: DeAndre Hopkins, Justyn Ross Change Jersey Numbers

Chiefs insider Jesse Newell is reporting that Hopkins will be donning No. 8 during his Kansas City tenure. The number previously belonged to fellow WR Justyn Ross, who's changing over to No. 82.

With Hopkins being the seasoned veteran, it isn't a surprise that his jersey number choice takes precedence over Ross. It also doesn't make much of a difference given that has yet to even play a game this season as he's spent the entirety thus far on Kansas City's practice squad.

When asked about why he chose No. 8, Hopkins revealed that it's a tribute to his favorite athlete of all time, Kobe Bryant. The former Clemson product has drawn inspiration from the NBA legend in the past so it's only fitting that he's paying homage on the gridiron.

From the way that head coach Andy Reid was talking Thursday, Hopkins could debut his new jersey number as early as this weekend. When asked about the veteran's chances of suiting up against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8, Reid simply responded, "Why wait, right?"

Beginning the season in the Titans' lethargic offense, Hopkins tallied 173 receiving yards and a touchdown on 15 catches in his first six games this season. Having said that, he recorded his last 1,000-yard performance just last year, making him the perfect addition to a Chiefs offense that's missing wideouts JuJu Smith-Schuster, Rashee Rice, and Marquise Brown at the moment.

The Chiefs head into Week 8 with a 6-0 record and while Hopkins' presence could help maintain that perfection, they might not need him. The defending Super Bowl Champions are currently projected as 9.5-point road favorites ahead of Sunday's meeting with the Raiders, per FanDuel Sportsbook.

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