One of the biggest offensive concerns remaining for the Kansas City Chiefs is a lack of proven receiver depth. This seems to be a problem that free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins would like to help the AFC West power solve. The veteran wideout recently spoke about playing with the Chiefs and noted how much he enjoyed playing the simple strategy of simply getting open and reading Patrick Mahomes. Hopkins elaborated on this, offering the following quote:
""That’s why (the Chiefs) win. That’s why Andy Reid is the goat. That’s why, you know, they gonna keep winning. You gotta have fun. Xs and Os only take you so far. You gotta put your best people out there on the field; let them make plays. They gonna mess up, you know what I’m saying? That’s part of the game.”"DeAndre Hopkins
This sounds like a player who would jump at the chance to return to Kansas City and serve as a depth piece for the franchise once again. For the Chiefs, it makes sense to revisit a deal with Hopkins based on the team's current concerns. Xavier Worthy has yet to live up to expectations, and Rashee Rice is continuing to deal with alarming off-the-field allegations. Add in the departures of Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency, and there is every reason to believe that a reunion between Hopkins and the Chiefs at least has the potential to happen.
Ex-Chief DeAndre Hopkins Clearly Would Jump at the Chance to Return
Hopkins talking so glowingly about the Chiefs is enough to make one think that, from his side of things, the pass catcher would welcome a chance to return. The receiver spent the 2025 season with the Baltimore Ravens, offering 330 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns. While the pass catcher is far removed from being one of the league's best receivers, it is fair to believe that if he were to return to Kansas City in a depth role, there would be more production than this.
Kansas City could rely on the veteran for 400-500 yards and be able to utilize his incredible hands in short-yardage and key situations. No question, the signing makes sense for the Chiefs and isn't likely to break the bank at this stage of the receiver's career, with Spotrac projecting a contract worth $1.5 million.
There is also the upside of bringing in a receiver with whom Mahomes has previously worked and already has a level of chemistry between the two players. This works in the Chiefs' favor, both giving Mahomes a new weapon and lessening any concerns about whether the duo can get on the same page. All of this adds up to Kansas City having every reason to explore signing the veteran to serve as another weapon who clearly would welcome the chance to return to a prestigious franchise.