Chiefs' trade for superstar WR could be the transformative move that defines their 2024 season

The move is huge and makes sense for both sides. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs will pay a fifth-round pick that can go to a fourth.

The Chiefs had incredible bad luck at wide receiver, since both Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown got hurt. Right now, JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie Xavier Worthy were the most reliable options outside of Travis Kelce, but Mahomes needed more. And a team in this type of championship window can't lose any time.

For the Titans, it's an understanding of where they are as a franchise. It's a step into the direction of the future, getting some draft capital and cap relief for a player that probably won't be good when the Titans have a chance to be.

Cap ramifications

DeAndre Hopkins is still slated to make $5.46 million between base salary and per-game roster bonuses for the remaining of the season, plus the likely incentives on his deal. According to Rapoport, though, the Titans will pay a part of that to faciliate the move.

Hopkins was in the final season of the two-year contract he signed in 2023. For the Chiefs, it's a low-cost win-now move.

Performance

It's rare for wide receivers to be really impactful as they get older, but Hopkins had a Strong season for the Titans in 2023 even without good quarterback play. He finished last season with 75 catches for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns.

This year, though, it's been hard to perform for anyone on the offense. Hopkins had 15 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown. Most of it came in two games, against the Green Bay Packers and the Indianapolis Colts. He's generated 11.7 yards per reception, 0.4 yards after the catch per reception, and a 72.6 passer rating when targeted according to PFF. The good news for the Chiefs is that Nuk has had only one drop this season.