With Rashee Rice potentially out for the season and Marquise Brown sidelined until at least the playoffs, the Chiefs may have to look for outside help at wide receiver. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport expects the Chiefs to “go out and look at options” at the position with a trade being “at least” in consideration.
Rapoport notes that the Chiefs front office is generally “open-minded” and considers every opportunity as it looks to plug holes, so a trade would surely be a logical route for the WR-needy squad. Rapoport pointed to the team’s sudden acquisition of Kadarius Toney in 2022, which came as the organization was navigating a post-Tyreek Hill era.
One potential name that Rapoport pointed to is Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans are currently 0-3 and if they continue going the wrong way in the standings, there’s a good chance the veteran wideout will be available at the trade deadline. Rapoport also noted that popular trade candidate Amari Cooper could fit the Chiefs’ payroll thanks to his low base salary, but the reporter rejected the idea of Jaguars wideout Christian Kirk fitting into the cap sheet.
Rookie first-round WR Xavier Worthy got into a career-high 45 snaps on Sunday and will likely join Travis Kelce as one of Patrick Mahomes‘ preferred targets moving forward. The team has also leaned on the likes of Justin Watson and JuJu Smith-Schuster for about half of its offensive snaps through the first month of the season. Skyy Moore and Mecole Hardman got extended cameos on Sunday after Rice was knocked out of the game. Rapoport noted that Brown could return to the Chiefs in time for the postseason, but it’s unlikely the offense will be hanging its hopes on the injured receiver.
As for Rice, Josina Anderson reports that the receiver is seeking “at least” a second opinion on his injured knee in an attempt to “gather additional information.” The Chiefs have also discussed “potential windows for surgery” so it sounds like any additional clarity will impact Rice’s 2025 availability (versus an unexpected late-season return in 2024).
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