A trade with the Houston Texans for pass rusher Jerry Hughes would make a lot of sense in terms of a potential trade scenario.
The Kansas City Chiefs are presently enjoying a bit more rest as they’ve reached their bye week. They certainly deserve it after a strong showing and an overall 5-2 record against a tough series of opponents. As they take stock of their present needs, one of the more pressing issues has been the team’s pass rush, which means we might see general manager Brett Veach address that concern before the NFL’s trade deadline on November 1.
It’s not uncommon to find the Chiefs linked to various rumors concerning pass rushers as it is. Chicago Bears edge Robert Quinn is a name that’s brought up time and again and that’s been the case since the preseason. Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns has also been bandied about, but the team swears they are not dealing him. However, one name that should be circulating more is Jerry Hughes of the Houston Texans.
Hughes is the sort of player and the level of acquisition that makes the most sense for the Chiefs and where they are at for multiple reasons. And while it might frustrate some fans who want to see a greater swing for the fences (wrong sports analogy), there’s actually good reason to shy away from such a blockbuster deal.
First, it should be noted that Hughes is a very productive player even at the age of 34 and for a losing team. Hughes has put up 4 sacks, 8 pressures, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception this year for the Texans, putting up a solid 76.3 grade from Pro Football Focus. As a productive vet, Hughes would be a solid addition to the mix for the Chiefs.
In fact, it’s that specific word—”mix”—that makes this another good reason to sign Hughes. The Chiefs already have loads of resources committed to the line in 2022. Chris Jones is having a career-defining season and should be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. George Karlaftis is learning on the job and providing some solid pressure each week. Carlos Dunlap is also still productive, and Frank Clark is streaky but showed on Sunday how much he can impact a game. With Mike Danna also a part of things on the outside as he comes back from a calf injury, there’s not a real need for an expensive cornerstone
Last year, the Chiefs brought in a rotational vet in Melvin Ingram and it was the very spark that put the defense over the top. The Chiefs defense is already looking solid, but with a long postseason run ahead and the reality of Clark’s two-game suspension, it would behoove the Chiefs to be proactive about the issues at pass rusher and see what Hughes can bring.
Beyond this year, the Texans signed Hughes on the cheap to a two-year deal this spring, which means that Hughes could be had for next season for just over $6M. That’s an option for the Chiefs if they like what they see, but the truth is only $1.25M of that is guaranteed—as part of his originally signing bonus. Maybe the Chiefs can even get Houston to eat that, knowing how much money they have comparatively. Either way, Hughes is not cost-prohibitive.
Considering that the Chiefs have more draft picks than they will be able to actually keep next year, it makes sense for them to send a day 3 pick to Houston for the chance to lock up the defensive end position with another productive vet. It’s a move that will make everyone better, take the pressure off of the position, works well within the cap, and even gives the team an option for next year.