DeAndre Hopkins cut a dejected figure for much of his ill-fated stint with the Tennessee Titans, but he shared his gratitude for the organization after starring for the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday.

The three-time All-Pro wide receiver was traded to the Chiefs last month for a conditional fourth-round pick and has made an immediate impact on Andy Reid’s offense.

He caught eight passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns in Monday’s overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the Chiefs improved to 8-0 on the season, chasing a third successive Super Bowl triumph.

Hopkins joined the Titans as a prized free agent in 2023 but it soon became apparent the team was not a championship contender, with poor quarterback play from Ryan Tannehill and Will Levis holding him back.

In his six games with the Titans this season, the situation worsened with Levis ranking among the worst passers in the league. Hopkins had just 173 receiving yards and a single touchdown before being traded to the Chiefs.

But despite his frustrating time on the field in Nashville, the former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals star only had good things to say about Tennessee after Monday’s game.

He made a nod to his former employers by performing a touchdown celebration made famous in 2000 movie ‘Remember The Titans’, and he thanked the team for his 18 months in Nashville and facilitating the trade to Kansas City.

“It was a shout to Tennessee,” Hopkins posted on X in response to a video of the celebration. “If you know me, you know it’s nothing but love for Nashville. [General manager] Ran [Carthon] and his crew are like family. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”

Hopkins’ addition to the roster was welcomed by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who hailed the receiver’s performance after defeating the Bucs 30-24 at Arrowhead Stadium.

“I think as he figures out the whole entire offense, he’ll get even better because there’s some times he’s going places, and I’m like, man, there’s a time and a place for that, but that’s what makes him great,” Mahomes said.

“You give him a chance down the field, he makes a play. To have a guy like that that can go up and make that catch in a crowd of defenders is a special type of player.”

Hopkins made his championship ambitions clear in his postgame press conference, telling reporters: “Go time. We ain’t done yet.”

He added that his chemistry with Mahomes will grow as the weeks go by and the playoffs near. “Communication, talking through our practice, talking locker room, just communicating every day, just about looks that we see,” he said of his burgeoning relationship with his QB.

“And me just picking [Mahomes’] brain, asking him what he likes, and when I’m not out there, taking the rep, I’m always learning and just seeing How he does things.

“[I feel] a lot more comfortable. Coaches do a great job of getting me prepared… everybody on the offensive side. Everybody’s always testing me and asking me questions. You know, just seeing my knowledge of the offense as we go.”