KC Chiefs players reportedly reached out to Dede Westbrook

It’s hard to say if the front office is officially interested at this point, but free agent wide receiver Dede Westbrook is reportedly getting some interest from the Kansas City Chiefs. To date, all we know is that it’s coming from the players—at least according to NFL reporter Josina Anderson.

On the one hand, the Chiefs did make some definite attempts to bolster the wide receiver position with a free agent veteran before the 2021 NFL Draft, but they were unfortunately spurned for other offers—likely due to the plethora of playmakers already in K.C.. JuJu Smith-Schuster was the most popular one, but rumors swirled of the Chiefs interest in other targets, too, like Josh Reynolds, Corey Davis and more.

Since the draft, however, the team’s wide receiver depth has changed just a bit. Not only did they draft Cornell Powell in the fifth round out of Clemson, a player who looks the part of the physical receiver they’re presently lacking, but they’ve also brought in a nice in-line receiver at tight end in Noah Gray in the fourth round. Byron Pringle is also back and ready for a larger role, while Demarcus Robinson has gone on record stating how he’s ready to take a leap. The presence of Mecole Hardman also looms with Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill atop any pecking order for targets.

As for Westbrook, he’s making his way back from a lost season due to injury, but the former Jacksonville receiver is used to being targeted at a high rate. He had 202 targets over the last two healthy seasons before ’20 was lost, which means he’d bring considerable experience (and expectations) to the Chiefs. Does he chase a chance at a ring and trust that Andy Reid would find ways to use him? Or does he take the path other receivers decided on and go where the targets aren’t likely to be as rare?

Westbrook, who is only 27 years old, has 160 catches for 1,720 yards and 9 touchdowns in three full seasons with the Jaguars.