DeAndre Hopkins celebrated his inaugural touchdown as a Kansas City Chief on Monday night with an impressive dance. He didn’t just perform any routine; he brought to life the iconic celebration from “Remember the Titans.”

Hopkins wasn’t throwing shade at his old team with his energetic moves. On the contrary, he appreciated his former team, the Tennessee Titans, who traded him to the NFL’s only undefeated team, aiming for their third consecutive Super Bowl victory. This is certainly better than being sent to any obscure part of the league.

It’s no surprise that he expresses gratitude towards Titans general manager Ran Carthon.

“It’s nothing but love for Nashville,” Hopkins remarked about his dance in a post on X. “Ran and his team feel like family. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”

Hopkins, now 32 years old, is clearly reinvigorated. Just a week prior, he was catching passes from Will Levis. Now, he’s catching throws from Patrick Mahomes, showing great potential as they develop into a formidable duo.

With 12 seasons under his belt, Hopkins boasts a career that may one day earn him a spot in the Hall of Fame. Since entering the NFL as the Texans’ first-round pick from Clemson in 2013, he leads with the most receptions (953) and yards (12,643) among five-time All-Pro players. His ability to catch contested passes has been unmatched for much of his career. However, it has been some time since he’s participated in playoff football.

After a 7-0 start with the Cardinals in 2021, Hopkins’ teams suffered through a 15-36 record until he was traded on October 23. The Titans were struggling at 1-5 when the deal took place. Now, the narrative has flipped.

<p“Playing for something changes your level of play,” Hopkins shared during his introductory press conference at the Chiefs’ headquarters. “I haven’t played meaningful football in a couple of years.”

Hopkins is not alone in feeling this way, especially after the recent flurry of activity in the NFL trade market that closed this past Tuesday. Just this week, edge rusher Za’Darius Smith was traded from the struggling Browns (2-7) to the high-flying Lions (7-1), who are currently at the top of the NFC. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore made a similar move to the leading team in the NFC East, Washington (7-2), leaving behind a beleaguered New Orleans (2-7) that is enduring a seven-game losing streak and recently fired coach Dennis Allen.

Earlier in October, Amari Cooper was traded from Cleveland to Buffalo (7-2), which is dominating the AFC East and will now rely on him as the top target for quarterback Josh Allen. Last week, receiver Diontae Johnson moved from Carolina (2-7) to Baltimore (6-3), where he will join quarterback Lamar Jackson, a top contender for the NFL MVP. Additionally, the Vikings (6-2) had to secure a replacement for injured left tackle Christian Darrisaw, acquiring Cam Robinson from the Jaguars (2-7).

These moves, part of a flurry involving 19 players since Week 1, were a response to the NFL’s extended trade window. This season saw the trade deadline pushed to the Tuesday after Week 9 (which coincidentally fell on Election Day), granting contending teams more chances to fill gaps in their rosters due to injuries as they prepare for the final stretch.

Extending the deadline also allowed teams on the fringes of the playoff race to gather draft picks for the next season. The market trends this year showed that many key players were acquired at relatively low costs, while several teams trading away players absorbed significant dead money salary cap hits.

How did the Chiefs manage to get Hopkins for just a fifth-round pick? Even with the potential for that pick to become a fourth-round choice, it felt like a steal, especially after Hopkins impressed against the Buccaneers with eight catches for 86 yards, two touchdowns, and an incredible 35-yard catch between two defenders. Kansas City was in desperate need of a quality target for Mahomes after suffering injuries to receivers Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Rashee Rice, Skyy Moore, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. They landed more than just a quality player; they found a superstar.

The Lions, facing the loss of Pro Bowl defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to a broken leg, acquired Smith (and a seventh-round pick in 2026) for a fifth- and sixth-round pick in 2025 and 2026, respectively. Robinson was traded for a conditional fifth-round pick, with the Jaguars adding a conditional seventh-round pick in 2026—an excellent deal for a team that needs to compensate for Darrisaw’s two torn knee ligaments.

Cooper’s trade fetched a third-round pick along with sixth- and seventh-round picks, while the Ravens parted with a fifth-round pick for Johnson and a sixth-round pick. Lattimore, at 28, commanded the highest trade price, with Washington acquiring the four-time Pro Bowler and a fifth-round pick for third-, fourth-, and sixth-round picks.

The financial implications of these trades, particularly the dead money left behind, added an intriguing layer to the market dynamics. According to Spotrac.com, the Saints face over $45 million in dead money this year and next after trading Lattimore. The Browns will take a financial hit of over $30 million for Cooper, closely followed by the Raiders, who incurred similar losses after trading Davante Adams to the Jets for a third-round pick. Robinson’s trade has cost the Jaguars nearly $20 million in dead money, while the Titans are stuck with over $22 million linked to Hopkins. Johnson, now with Baltimore, also leaves a substantial dead money figure of over $15 million behind.

Ultimately, some teams excel at maneuvering personnel and managing salary caps better than others. In the case of Kansas City, GM Brett Veach has had a remarkable impact, particularly with injuries threatening their chance for a third championship in a row. The Chiefs made a strategic move by bringing back Kareem Hunt after their explosive running back Isiah Pacheco suffered a leg injury in Week 2 (reportedly a fractured).

The Chiefs have seen some significant roster changes this season. Smith-Schuster, who made his return to the team, stepped in due to injuries to Brown and Rice but then faced his own injury challenges. General Manager Veach made headlines yet again by trading for edge rusher Joshua Uche from the Patriots.

However, the most impactful move may have been the acquisition of Hopkins. If the Chiefs succeed in their quest to become the first team in the NFL to clinch three consecutive Super Bowl titles, this trade could be monumental. The motivation is certainly high.

Hopkins played a vital role in leading the Texans to four AFC South championships, but he has never managed to get past the divisional playoffs.

“I feel like I’ve achieved a lot, reaching many personal milestones,” Hopkins stated. “What’s left for me is to compete in meaningful games come January.”

The trade could significantly enhance his chances of achieving that goal.