With the NFL trade deadline quickly approaching, rumors continue to swirl around the Kansas City Chiefs and their needs. In particular, the Chiefs have some holes on the offensive side of the ball and have a couple of desperate needs that could benefit from a trade in order to shore up Patrick Mahomes’ unit before the deadline.
In particular, there is room for a move to be made at wide receiver or at offensive tackle—or both. Despite the acquisitions of linemen Diego Pounds and Joshua Ezeudu at the end of preseason, the Chiefs have depth concerns at tackle without starters Josh Simmons and Jaylon Moore. Kansas City also has a glaring need at wide receiver without Rashee Rice in uniform. And even with a healthy Rice, Mahomes could still benefit greatly from a trade.
At some point, there’s another conversation that is separate from the accounting angle of managing the roster. To be sure, the art of the deal is a difficult one, as evidenced by the Chiefs’ inability to acquire a running back in 2025. Reports of interest in high-quality backs were plentiful, but in the end, the dealbreaker was the difference between a third- and a fourth-round pick.
If there is a sentimental reason to make a deal, the Chiefs have one in Travis Kelce.
Travis Kelce is a 14-year veteran and a surefire Hall of Famer. He’s the NFL’s most prolific pass catcher in postseason history. He’s spent every year of his career as a Chief and nearly retired last spring. Kelce is almost assuredly in his final year in the NFL, and he made the decision to make one final run at a fourth Super Bowl championship. The Chiefs owe it to Kelce to shove their chips on the table and make a massive splash in the trade market.
I’m not talking about a Day Three pick for DeAndre Hopkins. Kansas City has four picks in the first three rounds of the 2027 draft (they got a 2027 third-rounder from the Rams in the Trent McDuffie trade), and they owe it to their star tight end to make a move to push this offense into the next tier.
There is plenty of room for discussion about who. But whether it’s Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr., Cleveland’s Jerry Jeudy, New York’s Garrett Wilson, or any of a number of offensive linemen, this is not the time for Brett Veach to sit on his hands at the deadline. The AFC is possibly as wide open as it has been during Veach's tenure as the team's general manager. It’s time for a monster deal.
The 2025 season ended in disaster, and Kelce would not allow his career to end chasing meaningless passes from Chris Oladokun. Ultimately, the 37-year-old Kelce chose loyalty to this team and this city, and legacy, over the options to retire or sign with another team last spring. He has responded to the call with a productive first half of the season. He should be met by the franchise that has benefited immensely from his talents, and it should make the big move.
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