I wonder if playing with Hopkins will change how Patrick evaluates WRs during the draft process and see more Justin Ross archetypes.

I doubt even DHop can get Mahomes interested in shitty WRs that aren't good enough to even get drafted.

May this be a lesson to every WR out there. A qb can carry you all the way to the bank.

Juju and DHops careers were thought to be over. No gas left in the tank. These guys both sacrificed their whole reputation and future earnings chasing a few extra bucks to play with terrible QBs.

Hollywood had it right before he got hurt. Why don’t more Hollywood brown types use mahomes to get a big deal? And is it really worth it to chase a few extra million versus having a way more productive career?

Hopkins may specialize in contested catches but he was out there running crisp routes last night.

The first TD was a nice move he put on the CB.

I love that someone brought up how Kurt Warner evolved from throwing to spots in St. Louis to realizing he had WRs who could make contested catches in Arizona. It does feel like some of this is mahomes learning how to play with new toys.

He's always been among the best route-runners in the game. And his sight adjustments as well. He's 90% Jerry Rice level in every aspect of WR skillsets, and then on top of that, he's the best contested ball catcher we've ever seen.

It's why I always wanted him here instead of just another speed guy.

I'm not saying this is the next Tom Brady-Randy Moss combo, but it sure has some similar vibes.

>HOF level WR is in purgatory playing for a failing franchise
>Joins up with the GOAT and a well run organization
>Is suddenly rejuvenated and excited to be playing "meaningful football" and has a real chance of getting a ring before retiring.

Of course the Chiefs want a complete WR, but shifting to a different mold considering what Patrick is accustomed would be fascinating.

You had plenty of company in being wrong about DHop.

The entire time I was banging the drum for bringing him in prior to last season I kept saying that he's unlike any WR Mahomes has ever had. The fact that he hauled in that desperation Hail Mary Mahomes hit him with while he was about to be sacked bodes very well for his/our future. Mahomes has never had a guy who could go up and get a 50/50 ball like DHop can. Expect his opportunities to continue to increase, especially if he keeps bailing us out like he did on that play.

The second he caught that pass, I felt like Mahomes was going to look his way every time he's in trouble now. Talk about gaining trust in a MOMENT.

He was phenomenal. If he stays healthy he's an unbelievable get.

That first touchdown pass and catch was a freakish display. That being said, I was even more impressed by the second one where he positioned his body such that the defender has ZERO chance of making a play as long as Pat put the ball where he wanted. It was just such a professionally executed route.

Love me some D-Hop, finally Mahomes has one of those receivers.

Yup. Just one step out to get the defender thinking its outside fade, then right to the middle. Safety is too far off him thinking about Kelce, and it's already too late.

Great play all around.

That was an amazing throw and catch. If we weren't already the two-time defending champion and undefeated in 2024, I would say that it put the league on notice.

As things stand, it probably made the rest of the league want to quit football.