When Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs returned to the site of their Super Bowl LVIII victory, it was a feeling all too foreign for one player. After all, DeAndre Hopkins had never been part of a championship-winning roster. But if his Instagram update after the clock ran out to add another win to the Chiefs’ spotless record this season is anything to go by, the veteran wide receiver already has red and gold coursing through his veins.

DeAndre Hopkins’ Instagram post from Allegiant Stadium said it all: “Chiefs Kingdom.” Kansas City’s newest addition wasted no time proving his worth. The 32-year-old turned 23 snaps into pure gold, with both his catches converting crucial first downs. That’s the kind of instant impact that had Mahomes and the Chiefs’ faithful buzzing about their offensive potential. But what brought this partnership on?

Well, after flirting with the possibility of signing DeAndre Hopkins in 2023, the Chiefs had practically no other option than to follow through on that interest this season. It came after a series of injuries in their wide receiver room. With Rashee Rise out for the season following his Week 4 injury and Hollywood Brown only hoping to make it back in time for the postseason following his preseason injury, JuJu Smith-Schuster filled in as the team’s No. 1 receiver. But after he, too, joined the injury reserve, Kansas City had only rookie Xavier Worthy to rely on and needed “something special.”

In a conversation with Mike Florio, Tony Dungy discussed the Hopkins trade, saying, “Teams like the Chiefs with Andy Reid, they build for the future. They draft; they want to develop their own guys. But in this situation, ‘Hey, we need something special. Here’s a guy who can deliver that for us, and we’ll give up some of that long-term future for some short-term benefits.'” Well, it looks like Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs are already starting to see a difference.

So, it made sense when Mahomes reshared Hopkins’ Instagram photo with three simple words – “Just the start!💪🏽💪🏽” Safe to say, that was enough to send shockwaves through the NFL, putting all of Kansas City’s rivals on alert. Despite their offensive struggles this season, the defending champions went into Week 8 with a perfect record. After adding to it with a 27-20 win over the Raiders, this warning feels less like bravado and more like a promise.

The numbers from Sunday tell a compelling story. Mahomes dissected the Raiders’ defense with surgical precision, completing 19 of 24 passes for 192 yards before halftime. While Hopkins carved out his role, Travis Kelce reminded everyone why he’s Mahomes’ favorite target, hauling in 10 catches for 90 yards and adding to his Raiders’ touchdown collection – now at 12, more than against any other NFL opponent.

The offensive masterclass went beyond individual statistics. Kansas City’s third-down efficiency hit an impressive 12 of 16 conversions. From Samaje Perine’s 21-yard screen catch to Xavier Worthy’s clutch route-running and Noah Gray’s acrobatic grab that saved a deflected pass, every piece of the Chiefs’ offensive puzzle clicked into place.

As Mahomes and Hopkins begin writing their chapter in the Chiefs‘ history books, the early signs point to something special brewing. Even in limited snaps, Hopkins has already earned the quarterback’s trust in high-pressure situations – a trust that could reshape how defenses approach this already lethal offense.

As for the other Chiefs players, they seemed just as pumped to have DeAndre Hopkins on their side. After the wide receiver posted the carousel from his debut with the Chiefs, Travis Kelce commented, “Yessirrrr!! 😤😤” The Chiefs’ official Instagram account echoed that sentiment. Hollywood Brown may be on the sidelines at the moment and didn’t get to play alongside Hopkins, but that didn’t stop him from writing, “Just getting started ⏰”

Back in 2023, as the Chiefs defeated the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII to win their third championship, Mahomes registered 182 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. Acknowledging the quarterback’s prowess, Hopkins tweeted, “Patrick Mahomes is different.” Fast forward a season and a half, and he and Mahomes are on the same team. And there’s no question that Hopkins has his eyes set on a first Super Bowl.

That said, just before halftime against the Raiders, hearts skipped a beat across the Chiefs Kingdom.

Mahomes shook off an injury scare as the Chiefs’ defense showed its teeth

The collective gasp from Chiefs Kingdom came just before halftime. Mahomes limped after a tackle from behind, but head coach Andy Reid quickly squashed any concerns: “Pat got his ankle rolled up on a little bit, but he was fine as it went on,” putting worried minds at ease.

When adversity struck in the third quarter – Mahomes threw an interception, giving the Raiders the ball at Kansas City’s 3-yard line – the defense rose to the occasion. Steve Spagnuolo’s unit stonewalled Alexander Mattison twice before Tranquill and Bolton drove him back for a loss. The exclamation point came when Turk Wharton and George Karlaftis combined to sack Gardner Minshew on fourth down.

The momentum shift proved decisive. Mike Pennel followed up by strip-sacking Minshew on the next Raiders’ drive, with Tranquill pouncing on the loose ball. Mahomes capitalized immediately, leading a touchdown drive that pushed the score to 27-13 with 4:59 remaining. The sequence showcased why these 7-0 Chiefs remain Super Bowl favorites – they don’t just win; they find new heroes every week.