Potential Chiefs Trade Target Seemingly Ruled Out Ahead of Deadline

With the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills making blockbuster trades for star wide receivers (Davante Adams and Amari Cooper), Kansas City Chiefs fans wonder if the team will add a receiver before next month’s trade deadline.

Up to this point, the Chiefs have been linked to multiple wide receivers, but nothing hasn’t come of it yet. Kansas City is sitting at 5-0 to start the 2024 regular season despite losing Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice to season-ending injuries.

However, they will need another wide receiver to bolster their passing game to make another deep playoff run and to the Super Bowl. One wide receiver who seems like a good fit for the Chiefs is Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Kansas City had expressed interest in the All-Pro wideout during the 2023 offseason, but he signed a two-year, $26 million contract with the Titans. Hopkins had a great 2023 season in Tennessee, recording 75 receptions (137 targets) for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns.

However, he hasn’t seen much success this season with the Titans (14 receptions for 175 yards and a touchdown). Tennessee is one of six teams with only one win this season.

Based on those factors, it's a no-brainer for the Chiefs to try and trade for the veteran receiver. But ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports (subscription required) that Hopkins might not want to leave Nashville.

"“The receiver-depleted Chiefs haven't been overly aggressive on the market to this point. As was told to me, coach Andy Reid values receivers who either have played in his system or know it well. Finding a plug-and-play situation isn't always clear cut. That said, Kansas City will stay nimble. The Chiefs liked DeAndre Hopkins in 2023 free agency, but Tennessee isn't eager to deal him as of now, and he likes playing in Tennessee. I don't get the sense he's angling to get out of there.”"

This is the last thing you want to hear if you are a Chiefs fan. Hopkins and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk are likely the next best trade options, outside of New York Jets wideout Mike Williams.

It doesn’t come as a shock to see the Titans not eager to trade him as they have a young QB in Will Levis, who is struggling this season after showing flashes as a rookie in 2023. The Titans made it a point of emphasis to add veterans to their wide receiver core this offseason, signing Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd.

Despite their struggles, the Titans aren’t ready to blow it up yet. Therefore, the Chiefs must have a backup plan ready to go, whether that’s a trade for Mike Williams or bringing back a familiar face in Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

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