DeAndre Hopkins looking forward to playing 'meaningful football' for first time in 'a couple years'

"It means a lot," Hopkins said, according to a report by NFL.com's Nick Shook. "It takes your game to a different level. It (takes) your focus, your drive knowing that you're playing for something. It takes your game to a different level. I haven't played meaningful football in a couple years since we probably started 8-0 in Arizona. So it takes your game to a different level."

"Nuk" spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Texans, helping lead them to four playoff berths. Hopkins was traded to the desert in March 2020 in a package that brought former All-Pro running back David Johnson to Houston.

The Clemson product played three years with the Cardinals, made his most recent Pro Bowl during the 2020 season and the team qualified for the tournament the following year. Hopkins missed Arizona's NFC wild-card game loss against the Los Angeles Rams in January 2022, however, due to a torn MCL.

D-Hop signed with the Titans in July 2023 and had his seventh career 1,000-yard receiving season last year, finishing the campaign with 75 catches for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. Tennessee ended just 6-11 though.

Playing with second-year pro Will Levis (and now 29-year-old Mason Rudolph) under center, Hopkins and the entire Titans passing attack has struggled this fall. The 2013 first-round pick has posted just 15 receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown on 21 targets through six games.

Now, Hopkins will get the chance to catch passes from two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes and help Kansas City pursue its unprecedented third straight Super Bowl title.