With the No. 1 seed in the AFC locked up, the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to sit several starters in their Week 18 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
It’s a no-brainer move for the Chiefs, however they are facing a difficult decision in regards to one specific player – wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Logic would dictate that the veteran would get the week off in order to be fresh for the playoffs, but he’s facing a significant financial ramification for not playing.
As sports betting account Sal Bets pointed out on X, Hopkins needs just one more receiving touchdown to earn a $500,000 contract incentive.
DeAndre Hopkins needs just 1 TD to earn $500k.
He faces the Broncos – who allowed 3 passing TDs last week.
One thing to note:
There’s a chance Hopkins sits as a ‘key starter” in Week 18…
— Sal Bets (@salbets_) December 30, 2024
That’s a significant chunk of change, especially considering that Hopkins isn’t likely to get another big contract at 33-years-old. Hopkins is still productive, catching 41 passes for 437 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games since joining the Chiefs back in Week 8. He has also brough some much-needed veteran leadership to Kansas City’s wide receiver room.
The Chiefs were faced with a similar dilemma in last year’s season finale. Defensive tackle Chris Jones needed just one more sack to reach a $1.25 million bonus, and was allowed to play. Jones recorded the sack during the third quarter and was pulled out of the game thereafter. It obviously would have been a huge blow to K.C.’s Super Bowl chances if he were to get injured.
Based off that precedent, it stands to reason that Hopkins could see some action in Week 18. The Chiefs could put him in during redzone situations and give him a few opportunities to hit paydirt. However, it’s still likely that his snaps are limited and the Chiefs’ coaching staff proceeds with caution. It would certainly set back some of the progress K.C.’s offense has made in recent weeks if Hopkins were to sustain an injury and miss time in the postseason.
