Baltimore Ravens agree to terms with a big-name WR for QB Lamar Jackson on Day 2 of legal tampering, but it's a few years too late

Hopkins spent the last 13 games of the 2024 season with the Chiefs, including the postseason. Here is A to Z Sports Chiefs beat writer Charles Goldman's analysis of Hopkins' time in Kansas City. 

"A trade acquisition by way of the Tennessee Titans in Week 8 ahead of the NFL’s annual trade deadline, Hopkins finished the 2024 NFL regular season with 41 receptions for 437 yards and four touchdowns," Goldman said. "His snaps and participation were regularly increasing from Week 8 through Week 13, but they suddenly began to go in the wrong direction thereafter. Some speculated that it had to do with the trade conditions with Tennessee, to stop a fifth-round pick from turning into a fourth-round pick. From Week 14 onward, Hopkins only once exceeded 50% of Kansas City's offensive snaps. During the postseason, his highest offensive snap total was just 38% (Super Bowl LIX)."

The Chiefs' lack of usage with Hopkins down the stretch is definitely puzzling, especially during the playoffs. It's possible that the 12-year veteran simply ran out of steam. Hopkins is a five-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, but his last of each came in 2020.

It's safe to say that Hopkins isn't the same caliber of player he once was. He averaged just 37 receiving yards over his last seven games, and didn't catch more than two passes in any of the Chiefs' three postseason games. Ravens fans have clamored for the team to give quarterback Lamar Jackson a big-name WR, but doing it in the form of a past-his-prime Hopkins just doesn't cut it.

Perhaps Hopkins can turn the clock back for one more good run. One thing is for certain -- he will bring a lot of experience and veteran leadership to Baltimore's WR room. Hopkins had a tremendously positive impact of Chiefs' rookie WR Xavier Worthy, who was great for K.C. in the second half of the season. Hopkins will compete with Rashod Bateman for a starting role.