Chiefs trading for DeAndre Hopkins was almost much worse for the Chargers

The Kansas City Chiefs added to the team's depleted wide receiver room on Wednesday by trading for former All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins. With the LA Chargers also needing wide receiver help, fans cannot help but roll their eyes and worry about another big name being added to the Chiefs' roster.

While Hopkins is undoubtedly one of the best wideouts of the last 10 years, adding him to the Chiefs does not have the same juice that it would have five years ago. Hopkins firmly hit his regression curve in his 30s and has not been the same elite option over the last three years.

Granted, Hopkins has been subject to poor quarterback play, but he has not put much on film that looks like the elite receiver from a half-decade ago. With the Chiefs already being three games better than the Chargers in the AFC West, adding Hopkins doesn't impact the Bolts at all moving forward.

However, the other option behind door No. 2 definitely would have impacted the Bolts. Prior to making the trade for Hopkins official, the Chiefs attempted to make a trade for another former All-Pro who is not as far along in his regression curve: Cooper Kupp.

Chiefs nearly pulled off Cooper Kupp trade that would have made Chargers fans sick

It isn't fun for Chargers fans to see Hopkins donning the same uniform as Patrick Mahomes, but it is not as unbearable as it could have been. Hopkins is a big name, sure, but he does not pack the same punch that he previously did.

The same obviously cannot be said for Kupp, who is still one of the best wide receivers in the league when he is able to stay healthy. Granted, the health variable would have been a huge risk for the Chiefs but if Kupp was to stay healthy it would all but cement Kansas City as the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Plus, Kupp has two more years under contract whereas Hopkins is a free agent after this season. Hopkins is merely a four-month bandage the Chiefs are hoping can help the team make another Super Bowl run.

Koop would have been someone who helped Kansas City this year while also terrorizing the AFC West for at least one more year. That truly would have been a nightmare scenario for the Chargers.

Thankfully, the money did not work and the Chiefs were unable to move off premium draft capital in order to bring Kupp to Kansas City. Chargers fans need to remember how bad it could have been when Hopkins makes plays in Kansas City.