Smart financial move by Chiefs after DeAndre Hopkins trade gives champions more flexibility

The last time the Kansas City Chiefs won their first six games more than a decade ago. The year was 2013 and it was Andy Reid’s debut campaign as the team’s head coach. The team opened that season 9-0 en route to an 11-5 finish and a playoff berth.

Of course, these Chiefs have won 12 straight games, including their last two regular season games and all four postseason games in 2023. Reid’s team has done this primarily with its defense. It may surprise some people to know that the Chiefs have now gone 16 consecutive games without scoring at least 30 points in a match.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown more interceptions (8) than touchdown passes (6), and the team had been looking for help when it came to its battered receiving corps.

On Wednesday, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach inked a deal with the Tennessee Titans to pick up veteran DeAndre Hopkins. Via ESPN’s Adam Schefterthe 12-year veteran was acquired for a conditional fifth-round draft pick in 2025. That selection could become a fourth-round pick based on certain incentives and playing time. The Titans also pay about a third ($2.5 million). Hopkins’ salary remaining salary in 2024.

That’s not the only move Veach has made in the past week.

Even with this move, the Chiefs are near the bottom of the league (via Spotrac) when it comes to salary cap space. Nevertheless, this is an organization that continues to push all the right buttons when it comes to retaining the roster and looking to the future.

As for Hopkins, he joins a club that currently has three wide receivers (Rashee Rice, “Hollywood” Brown and Skyy Moore) on injured reserve. Rice remains second on the team with 24 catches, leads Kansas City with 288 receiving yards and is tied for the club lead with two touchdowns. This despite not playing the last two games. The reigning champions just keep finding ways.