The Chiefs have dealt with several notable injuries to their receivers corps through the first month-plus of the season. So, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the front office is searching for some reinforcement at the position ahead of the trade deadline. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Chiefs have been “calling around to see what they can potentially add at the position.”
While RB Kenneth Walker has helped keep Kansas City’s offense afloat, Patrick Mahomes has had to deal with a rotating cast of targets in the passing game. To his credit, the Chiefs still rank just outside the top-10 in passing yards, thanks in part to Travis Kelce’s team-leading 57.2 receiving yards per game (his highest since 2023).
However, the team’s WR grouping is another story. While Rashee Rice is expected to be back in the lineup sooner than later, he’s missed the past two games after exiting Week 4 after only six snaps. Tyquan Thornton stepped up in Rice’s place in Week 4, but he suffered a gruesome ankle injury towards the end of that contest.
Xavier Worthy is the only Week 1 WR contributor who’s appeared in every game for the Chiefs, although the 2024 first-round pick continues to struggle to live up to his draft billing. Otherwise, the team has had to rely on the likes of Jalen Royals, Andrew Armstrong, Cyrus Allen, Justin Watson, and Nikko Remigio…a grouping that combined for only nine offensive snaps through the first four weeks (all via Allen).
The Chiefs have often been active adding to their receivers corps in-season, with Kadarius Toney, Mecole Hardman, and DeAndre Hopkins representing October acquisitions in recent years. Kansas City still sits atop the AFC despite last night’s loss, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the organization adds to the position over the new few weeks.