Arrowhead Pride
The veteran wide receiver is embracing his opportunity in Kansas City.
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has played 177 games in his 12-year NFL career. Not many players — or even coaches — have the experience and knowledge Hopkins has gained on his way to over 12,000 career receiving yards and 81 touchdowns.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is one of the exceptions. His 26 seasons as head coach of the Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles give him a respect that Hopkins immediately embraced.
“I haven’t been here that long, but coach Reid has definitely pushed me as a player,” Hopkins told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday. “He’s always watching everything that you do, and you want to go out and be perfect, or try your best. There is a standard that he is, and you feel it in the locker room.”
The All-Pro receiver took little time to be utilized in the Chiefs’ offense. He points to Reid’s diligence with him learning the scheme.
“Being detailed,” Hopkins noted about Reid. “Not just in practice but in walkthrough as well. [He’s] making sure I understand the whole concept of the play.”
Hopkins is a different type of receiver than the Chiefs typically deploy on the field. He has possession skills that complement the speed of other receivers. He has impressed Reid with sturdy, strong plays.
“He has always been a great player,” Reid prefaced in his press conference Wednesday. “This offense gives him opportunities, his style of player. His quarterback trusts him.”
“What he is, you saw Sunday on the crossing route. Dirty tough... That’s been him: tough catch, contested ball, lands on it hard, and gets back in and plays, wants more.”
This first-down catch is harder than Hopkins makes it look. The pass is behind him slightly, giving the oncoming defender a chance to break it up. Instead, Hopkins secures it to his body through being driven into the ground.
“He’s great with the contested balls,” Reid described. “He has long arms and big hands; if you get it in that radius, you’re pretty sure he is going to get that son of a gun... that’s his strength right there.”
The wisdom Hopkins can absorb from Reid does not translate to further motivation. He clarified that it comes from the players around him.
“Going out on that football field and playing for my teammates, trying to be my best and make plays, that’s what motivates me.”
Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy is working through growing pains at the position, so it’s encouraging to hear Hopkins makes himself available as a mentor to Worthy and other young receivers.
“I tell guys just be themselves,” Hopkins shared. “They mess up and make a mistake, go out and just be yourself. Put it behind you, and they do good. I’m the first person to try and be there for them when they do well. They’ve definitely been asking me a lot of questions about football and life. That’s why...
