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Stud Chiefs Playmaker Speaking Up to Coaches Amid Offensive Struggles

Kansas City Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins has reportedly been in direct communication with the team's coaching staff amid their offensive struggles.

By Devon Platana

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (8) celebrates after scoring against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (8) celebrates after scoring against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. / Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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As a Week 16 meeting with the Houston Texans looms, the Kansas City Chiefs are trying to figure out how to turn their offense around.

After scoring a respectable 25.4 points per game in their first eight outings, the Chiefs are only averaging 21.0 PPG in their last six outings. Considering how that average would look much worse had Andy Reid's team not scored 30 points against the Carolina Panthers in Week 12, it's easy to see why Kansas City is desperate to get the offense back on track before the playoffs.

One thing the Chiefs have going for them is a veteran core that knows how to lead by example, which includes wideout DeAndre Hopkins. Even though the 32-year-old playmaker has only been in town for a few months, he's making an effort to do what he can to help his teammates break out of their current funk.

DeAndre Hopkins Working with Coaches to End Offensive Struggles

Following Wednesday's practice, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy revealed that Hopkins has been working with the coaching staff to help turn the offense around.

"There will be some things (Hopkins) sees throughout the game that he'll come and voice to the coaches," Nagy told A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman. "He's played a lot of reps. He's seen a lot of things. But there's a balance to that."

Hopkins is a 12-year veteran who's played on his fair share of struggling offenses. In fact, the Tennessee Titans were only averaging 17.7 PPG through their first six games this season before they traded the five-time Pro Bowl WR to the Chiefs ahead of last month's trade deadline.

Since joining the Chiefs, Hopkins has become one of quarterback Patrick Mahomes' top weapons. Playing eight games so far in a Kansas City jersey, the former Clemson Tiger has caught 35-of-51 passes for 393 receiving yards and four touchdown catches.

While it's great to see Hopkins thriving in a leadership role, the Chiefs' attack will face more stiff challenges down the stretch. Their final three regular-season games are against a trio of the NFL's top defenses:

  • Week 16: vs. Houston Texans (21.4 PPG, 9th)
  • Week 17: @ Pittsburgh Steelers (18.9 PPG, 5th)
  • Week 18: @ Denver Broncos (17.6 PPG, T-1st)

Needing to build as much momentum as possible before the playoffs, it'll be interesting to see if the Chiefs can run the gauntlet in the next three weeks. If their offense can find success against some of the NFL's best defensive units, a third straight Lombardi Trophy might be a realistic goal after all.

For now, the Chiefs will head into the Week 16 slate tied for the third-best Super Bowl LIX odds (+500) on FanDuel Sportsbook.

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