The first preseason game is on the horizon and Xavier Worthy has missed a week of practice due to a shoulder injury. Rashee Rice is still working his way back from offseason knee surgery (debridement) and just started participating in 11-on-11s. And those represent the most certain elements of the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver corps.
The arrival of the Chiefs' preseason opener—which features the L.A. Rams visiting Arrowhead on Saturday, August 15—means that football that actually counts is closer than ever, with final roster cuts due in just a few weeks. Front offices around the league are sorting through the choices at each position, with the hopes of cobbling together the best 53-man configuration possible.
In short, there's not a lot of time for Brett Veach to import some help at wide receiver.
Brett Veach was reportedly interested in Stefon Diggs, but the free-agent shelves at WR aren't all that inspiring.
Compounding the problem for the Chiefs is not just the later date in the NFL schedule. In fact, the bigger issue is the lack of choices. It'd be one thing if Veach was emanating confidence about the players already on the roster, but just this week, word leaked that the Chiefs were one of three franchises to miss out on Stefon Diggs, who signed with the Washington Commanders. Two of those other teams—the Raiders and Dolphins—expect to be picking in the top five of next year's draft. That's not the kind of company a team wants to keep.
Adding Diggs would have provided a much greater level of security for those feeling nervous about the state of things at wide receiver. Unfortunately, the pickings are slim on the free agent market. Tyreek Hill says he has "no power" in his surgically repaired leg as he progresses in rehab. Gabe Davis is working his way back from a second consecutive knee injury, too. How much do aging vets like Keenan Allen or Brandin Cooks have left in the tank? If Curtis Samuel or Josh Reynolds would move the meter at this point, then why hasn't Veach already made the call?
As it stands, Worthy and Rice are scheduled to anchor the passing attack with the hopes that availability isn't a regular-season problem. Cyrus Allen is generating considerable buzz, but a day three rookie shouldn't get anyone too carried away before Week 1. The Chiefs decided not to find out anything of note from Jalen Royals in his rookie year. Tyquan Thornton's odd usage rate in 2025 kept his ceiling a mystery as well, even though he was brought back in free agency.
Basically, the Chiefs aren't exactly sure what they have at wide receiver and much of that is the organization's fault. The lack of playing time for Royals, the lack of targets for Thornton, the lack of... health for the others—it all adds up to a mystery box that likely engenders worry or optimism, depending on the personality type of the fan.
Perhaps the Chiefs will wait until they're able to make a low-level move for a veteran as rosters are pared down. A reunion with Demarcus Robinson? Wait for Tyreek? Sit and make a move before the trade deadline instead? It's hard to tell but the free-agent shelves aren't all that inspiring. If the Chiefs had their eyes on Diggs, it's hard to tell where they're looking now.
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