DeAndre Hopkins Betting Odds Shift: New Team Threatening Patriots?
Another day, another shift in the betting odds for who will sign free-agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins. After the New England Patriots fell out of the top spot as favorites earlier in the week, another dramatic move has occurred as the Kansas City Chiefs have seen their odds suddenly jump.
Since the beginning of Hopkins' stint in free agency following his release from the Arizona Cardinals, the defending Super Bowl champions have been listed as a potential landing spot for the 31-year-old. Yet, with their current salary cap predicament, they've never been taken seriously as contenders to sign Hopkins until recently.
After Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones took to Instagram to show off pictures from his night at the ESPYs celebrating Kansas City's selection as the "Best Team" in 2023, a brief interaction in the comments with Hopkins has suddenly sparked belief in the champions' pursuit.
Hopkins responded to Jones' caption - “The show … Enjoyed celebrating with my brothers last night” - with the raised hands emoji, to which the Chiefs defensive tackle countered with the crossed fingers and shaking hands emojis.
This seemingly casual interaction has seen the Chiefs' odds on DraftKings dramatically move from +800 to +175. The Tennessee Titans remain the favorites at -120, while the Patriots have now fallen to third at +250.
After New England announced contract extensions with receiver DeVante Parker and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley - which opened up more salary cap space - it became the betting favorites. But that initial optimism of Hopkins signing with the Patriots following his visit to Foxboro has faded.
A recent report from ESPN's Mike Reiss about the Titans being the "more aggressive" team in pursuit of Hopkins saw Tennessee jump the Patriots, and now the Chiefs have done the same.
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