Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and newly added receiver DeAndre Hopkins showed their growing chemistry on Monday night in Kansas City’s win over Tampa Bay.
Hopkins had a standout game, catching eight passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns—setting new season highs in all three categories, including his time with the Titans.
In his Wednesday press conference, Mahomes said that he and the team are working to help Hopkins become even more comfortable in the offense.
“Obviously, he had a big game this last game, but we continue to give him more and more opportunities to make plays,” Mahomes explained. “We move him around and let him do what he’s special at and that’s catching the football, winning one-on-one matchups and getting open in zone coverage.
It’s just going to help the entire offense, not only for him but helping other guys get open as well. Obviously, with the big game that he had this last game, I’m sure they’ll be more eyes on him this week which will in turn help other guys get open.”
As Mahomes and Hopkins work together more, Mahomes is beginning to better understand how Hopkins reads the game.
“I mean, a lot of that comes with reps but you can tell by the way he talks and the way he does stuff on the football field that he has a good feel for getting himself open, being in the right spot at the right time,” Mahomes said.
“He does a great job at getting himself open and being in the right spot at the right time and as we get more and more reps, that will continue to get better.”
In his first two games with Kansas City, Hopkins has caught 10 passes on 12 targets for 115 yards and two touchdowns. The Chiefs will aim to keep that production going when they play the division-rival Broncos on Sunday.
