During his free agency in 2023, five-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins hinted at interest in the Kansas City Chiefs. He signed with the Tennessee Titans but a trade led him to Kansas City (8-0). Now, he looks like a threat with the Chiefs.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) found out the hard way in a 30-24 overtime defeat as Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Hopkins found their rhythm in their second game together.
"A lot more comfortable," Hopkins told reporters afterward. "Coaches do a great job of getting me prepared. It's not just (wide receivers coach) Connor (Embree) but everybody on the offensive side."
Hopkins caught eight passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns, which included a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. In his second game with the Chiefs, Hopkins easily eclipsed his touchdown total from his six games with the Titans where he had no touchdowns amid a struggling offense.
He also only had 15 catches for 173 yards in that span. That included a 29-yard performance in Hopkins' debut with the Chiefs on Oct. 27 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kansas City looked like an offense with a new gear in Hopkins' second game with the team. The Chiefs scored 30 points for the first time this season, and Mahomes produced his first 3-touchdown game of the season.
Mahomes, who hasn't produced to his usual level this season amid five touchdowns and nine interceptions, had his most accurate game against the Buccaneers. He completed 77.3 percent of his passes as he went 34-44, and he notched his best passer rating of the season at 116.8.
Hopkins also freed up tight end Travis Kelce, who had his best game of the season with 14 receptions for 100 yards. Kelce previously made it past seven receptions twice and 88 yards twice all season.
Kansas City also benefited in the run game where running back Kareem Hunt produced only the second 100-yar game of the season for a Chiefs back. Hunt also walked off the Buccaneers with an overtime touchdown.
Tampa Bay kept up with the Chiefs throughout the game, which started with running back Rachaad White's 7-yard touchdown for a 7-3 Buccaneers lead in the second quarter. Hopkins put the Chiefs back in the lead with a 1-yard reception from Mahomes before halftime.
The Buccaneers reestablished momentum with a big third quarter when quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with tight end Cade Otton for an 11-yard score. Kicker Case McLaughlin made it 17-10 on a 47-yard field goal but the Chiefs rallied with back-to-back scoring drives in the fourth quarter.
That included running back Samaje Perine catching his first touchdown pass of the season on a 7-yard play. Following Perine's score and Hopkins' second touchdown, Mayfiedl rallied the Buccaneers on a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ryan Miller.
"Pat and I playing ball," Hopkins described his second touchdown. "We kind of figured we would have that look -- two guys that were just trying to combo me, and he put the ball where only I could get it."
Kansas City moved the ball methodically in overtime on a 10-play, 70-yard scoring drive, which included a 15-yard pass from Mahomes to Hopkins. Overall, the Chiefs increased scoring and got more out of other key players amid Hopkins first home game with the team.
For Hopkins, joining the Chiefs gives him the chance to do one thing he hasn't achieved in his career -- win a Super Bowl. Hopkins otherwise has been one of the most successful wideouts in the league amid 12,643 receiving yards, 81 touchdowns, and five Pro Bowl appearances.