The DeAndre Hopkins era has come to an end for the Kansas City Chiefs, as Hopkins has agreed to a one-year deal worth $6 million with the Baltimore Ravens. Considering how inexpensive this deal was a for a once top-tier receiver, it shows that the Chiefs never planned to keep Hopkins past his rental time in Kansas City, and that’s okay.

Hopkins joined the Chiefs ahead of the trade deadline and played in 10 regular season games for them, totaling 41 catches for 437 yards and four touchdowns. The Chiefs acquired Hopkins because they needed help at wide receiver after Rashee Rice went down for the season and Xavier Worthy took a bit to get acclimated to the league.

Fortunately, Hopkins’ presence not only gave Patrick Mahomes another weapon to throw to but it helped Worthy grow as a receiver. Hopkins had some nice plays as a member of the Chiefs but he only had three catches for 29 yards and a touchdown during the playoffs and that’s when the team really needed the guy to ball out.

With Hopkins now off to Baltimore, the Chiefs’ wide receiver room consists of Rice (who will be returning from injury in 2025), Worthy, and Hollywood Brown, who re-signed with the team over the weekend. Brown’s re-signing might have clued fans in on the fact that Hopkins likely wouldn’t be back and now we have confirmation of just that.

The Chiefs also lost Justin Watson this offseason so adding a depth piece or two at the position in the draft will make sense. The team will definitely be hoping that Rice can come back sooner rather than later.

Hopkins was brought to Kansas City to help Mahomes out on offense and help the team win a third-straight Super Bowl. While he was a nice addition to the team during the regular season, he was never in the long-term plans so this move shouldn’t shock anyone.