New Orleans – Deandre Hopkins mentioned his career performance. Triple all-pro. Five times a Pro -Bowler. The highest paid recipient in the competition history, twice.
He has been the Alfa receiver in almost every team he sat for the first 11 seasons of his NFL career.
“I have been that number 1 receiver and I have never won,” said Hopkins.
Both parts of that statement changed this season. After Hopkins was traded on the Chiefs of Kansas City and finally experienced a number of extraction – he was part of two Playoff victories in his first 11 seasons and doubled that totally last month with the Chiefs last month – it was because he practically one Spirit was in the attack.
Hopkins has only one catch for 11 meters this late season. He doesn’t have any 100-year game with the chiefs. And he smiled wide during the week prior to Super Bowl Lix. That does not follow the stereotype of a Star NFL receiver.
“I am not the type of receiver that is a diva,” said Hopkins. “I don’t want any catches. I just want to win.”
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Deandre Hopkins happy to be on the leaders
If you are 32 years old and have done everything that Hopkins has in the NFL, priorities can change.
Hopkins was in a bad Tennessee Titans team to start the season. The Titans did not have much use for an experienced recipient who is approaching the end of his career, so the trade speculation began. Hopkins said he hoped to land with a competition. A trade with the Chiefs became official on 24 October. The Titans received a conditional fifth round concept.
Because the Chiefs have a great quarterback and head coach, and Hopkins has the type of CV that will get him after retirement Hall of Fame consideration, it was seen by some as a seasonal moment.
Hopkins has not been bad, but he has not been a big difference. Hopkins on average 43.7 yards per match in the regular season. He had one big match, with eight catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns on a Monday evening against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that kind of versions have not been the norm. Hopkins did not caught a pass and only had one target in the Chiefs division round. He didn’t do much in the AFC Championship Game the next week.
He has influenced this Chiefs team in other ways.
“I knew we got a good player,” said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. “I did not know the leadership section. He has been so great. He did not complain that we spread the ball or use other boys with him. He is willing to share that way. That whole senior leadership part he brought, I really appreciate it.
A role with a low volume is not what the Chiefs of Hopkins could have expected when the trade took place, but Hopkins adapted well.
“I appreciate being able to go outside and still win the game if it makes a block or makes a catch or not catches,” Hopkins said.
What will the role of Hopkins be in Super Bowl?
Given that Hopkins has had no more than 37 yards in a game since November, there may not be a big, memorable game for him in the Super Bowl.
And nothing that Hopkins said this week indicates that he is not satisfied with every role he will have against the Eagles. As he said, he has previously worn the load for an attack and it generally resulted in team losses.
“It’s really great that you don’t have the team yourself, and you have other players in the team who can help you win,” said Hopkins.
Perhaps the Chiefs Hopkins will consider a threat in the red zone, where he can still dominate, or to get more in goals against a team that rarely gives receptions.
It doesn’t seem to matter. Hopkins wants to experience a super bowl victory. Hopkins already seemed to imagine what could happen on Sunday, with his children to see him hopefully fill the last gap on a great NFL CV.
“Hopefully they can play on the confetti afterwards,” said Hopkins.