'He has a master’s degree in playing football' — Justin Reid gushes about new Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins
Upon passing his physical on Thursday, WR DeAndre Hopkins is officially a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. The All-Pro wide receiver will reunite with a few former teammates in Kansas City, including WR Hollywood Brown, DE Charles Omenihu, and S Justin Reid. What exactly are the Chiefs getting in the 32-year-old Hopkins? Reid spoke with […]
Upon passing his physical on Thursday, WR DeAndre Hopkins is officially a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The All-Pro wide receiver will reunite with a few former teammates in Kansas City, including WR Hollywood Brown, DE Charles Omenihu, and S Justin Reid. What exactly are the Chiefs getting in the 32-year-old Hopkins? Reid spoke with reporters on Wednesday to give them the idea.
“He knows ball. He has a master’s degree in playing football,” Reid told KC Star reporter Jesse Newell on Wednesday. “And he knows how to read coverages. He knows route combinations. He was a really special player when we played together.”
Reid used the words, veteran, reliable and approachable when describing Hopkins, explaining that his impact will extend beyond the gridiron. The simple fact of just having Hopkins in the locker room will make everyone better, even players on the defensive side of the ball.
On the field, Reid emphasized that he'll fill a role the Chiefs lack on offense after injuries to Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice.
"Yeah, (he's) a veteran player, a physical guy, great hands, reliable route runner, consistent player," Reid told The Ship's Darren Smith. "And I think he fills a role that will really help us on the offensive side of the ball."
"I played two years with him in Houston," Reid continued. "Even way back then, special talent, just a guy where you can throw it anywhere in his range and he's going to go up and get it. 50-50 balls, contested balls, he really does a good job of looking in the ball and making tough catches. I think that's really going to be an asset for Patrick (Mahomes) and our team."
Having a reliable target, who catches everything in the area code can only help the Chiefs. Seeing how Hopkins has been able to produce in a bad offense in Tennessee this season just gives more confidence that he can be the difference-maker Kansas City sorely lacks.
The Chiefs need all the help they can get at the wide receiver position with the group being decimated by injuries. Skyy Moore is the latest player to join the injured reserve list and JuJu Smith-Schuster is dealing with a hamstring injury that will keep him out for Week 8, and perhaps even longer.
Former Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill reacts to Kansas City’s trade for DeAndre Hopkins
Hill surely knows what he is doing here.
