The NFL's trade deadline is drawing near, and that means official news about the Kansas City Chiefs might be coming into view as well. Rumors are swirling and several trades have already been made, and the clock is ever closer to the final moment that franchises can make any in-season adjustments via deals, one way or another.
For some teams, the trade deadline is a confusing time. For the Chiefs and other contenders, the "buyer" posture is obvious. For basement dwellers, the "seller" status has been evident for weeks. For those stuck in the middle, it can be hard for general managers to tell how to approach the second half of the season.
Brett Veach has been buying for years, given the Chiefs' tremendous run of success,and this year will be no different. The Chiefs have been linked to edge rushers, defensive tackles, and running backs. In trade projections, even safety has been mentioned.
It makes sense for Veach to wait until the eleventh hour to pull something off, but the wait should produce something for a team with clear needs and the motivation to chase another Super Bowl appearance—potentially their sixth in the last seven seasons.
Here are all the latest trade updates and rumors that affect the Chiefs and/or involve Veach's name.
Breece Hall is not going anywhere (11/4)
In perhaps the most despondent news of the day for Chiefs Kingdom, the Jets decided to stand firm on the values they had for running back Breece Hall and others. That means they didn't get the hoped-for offers for Hall and defensive end Jermaine Johnson, so they will remain in New York. For the Chiefs, any hoped-for upgrades at running back, at least in the form of Hall, are not happening.
AFC West leaders stand firm (11/4)
As it turns out, the Denver Broncos did not work out any deals before the trade deadline, which means the current leaders of the AFC West will dance with the ones who brought them this far. That's not a bad plan, as Broncos reporter Zac Stevens says the team didn't want to force anything despite interest in making upgrades.
Denver might strike out on Waddle? (11/4)
Earlier in the day, the Broncos were reportedly in the mix for a major deal for Miami wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Now, Connor Hughes says that the Dolphins listened, but interested teams balked at the asking price of a first-round pick and more. It's all posturing before the deadline, but there's smoke here. Of course, the AFC West looks a bit easier if Denver can't land Tyreek Hill's running mate.
Jets name asking price for Breece Hall (11/4)
The Jets have already sold off Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, so it stands to reason that Breece Hall is likely gone as well. Rumors go back and forth before the NFL's trade deadline as to whether they're coming off of Hall, but Dianna Russini says the asking price is a third-round pick. The deadline allows for a game of chicken between interested parties and the Jets, but it feels like he'll be sold to someone more likely than not. Expect the Chiefs to have at least rumored interest here when all is said and done, even if another team lays claim to him.
Best defensive tackle goes off the market (11/4)
If you were a Chiefs fan wondering whether or not a top-shelf defensive tackle was even available for the taking, the Dallas Cowboys somehow convinced the New York Jets to surrender Quinnen Williams. The Chiefs were likely never going to make such a move for myriad reasons—draft cost, contractual hit—but a fan can dream, right? Either way, the Jets' sell-off continues which means Breece Hall, Jermaine Johnson, and others should pack their bags as well. Maybe to K.C.?
Colts send shocking message to AFC (11/4)
The Colts are doing their best to stay atop the AFC before the deadline with a shocking trade for Jets corner Sauce Gardner. That moves makes things tougher for K.C. in a Week 12 matchup (and an AFC chase in general), but it also might signal that the Jets are really selling. Believe it or not, they were asking for beyond market prices for their sellable assets. Now maybe the Chiefs can have real conversations about running back Breece Hall (and others).
AFC West could get interesting (11/4)
The Denver Broncos are already feeling good in the AFC West with a two-game lead on the Chiefs and a one-game lead on the Chargers. They're reportedly flooring it by looking at major trades, per reporter Jordan Schultz. A somewhat suspect yet sometimes accurate account (how else do you describe "Rickey"?) followed suit by saying Jaylen Waddle could be the target for Denver. Miami is making moves at the deadline already (the Jaelan Phillips deal). Something to watch.
Former Chiefs OL on the market (11/3)
Offensive line is not a position often discussed as a current Chiefs trade interest, but it makes sense in the right light. Trey Smith's back is hurting. Jawaan Taylor's ankle is a concern. The Chiefs were just leaning on Wanya Morris in the fourth quarter against the Bills and started Mike Caliendo last week. That's important because the Washington Commanders have reportedly made both Nick Allegretti and Andrew Wylie available. The familiarity and versatility make Wylie an especially interesting target.
Mazi Smith on the block? (11/3)
It's no secret that the Chiefs did their homework on Mazi Smith back in 2023 when the Michigan defensive tackle was eligible to be drafted. Rumors swirled that the Chiefs wanted to draft him but were beaten to that punch by the Dallas Cowboys. Two years later, Smith was a potential preseason roster cut in August and was a healthy inactive for Dallas on Monday Night Football—the day before the trade deadline. Is Dallas ready to deal him? K.C.'s needs and previous interest certainly make them an obvious mention here.
Ravens take another edge rusher off the market (11/3)
The Titans are selling, and the Chiefs have very real connections in the front office as Mike Borgonzi's former employer. He was the team's assistant GM the last few years and now he's making the calls in Nashville. However, the Baltimore Ravens stepped in and removed Dre'Mont Jones from the market with a deal before the deadline that now pares down an already scarce market for edge rushers. If the Chiefs want to bolster the pass rush, they're starting to run out of clear candidates.
Jaelan Phillips is off the shelf (11/3)
While it would have been shocking for the Chiefs to pull off such a seismic transaction like trading for Jaelan Phillips before the league's trade deadline, the truth is that this year's pursuit for another Super Bowl appearance is not going like it was supposed to. Therefore, perhaps it wouldn't be so surprising to see Veach chase a bigger ticket item than what's expected. The Eagles, however, have saved Veach the hassle of making such decisions by dealing a third-round pick to Miami for the pass rusher.
Chiefs looking for "another explosive back"? (11/2)
Before the Chiefs-Bills game got underway, Ian Rapoport gave an update on the Chiefs' potential search for further help in the offensive backfield. "I would expect the Kansas City Chiefs to keep looking at the running back market, just looking for another explosive back just to give them another playmaker on offense. That has never hurt," said Rapoport.
A couple of things seem important to note here. First, who is the first explosive back he's referring to? Second, it feels weird that the Chiefs would really get something that explosive, to use Rapoport's word, when they've been so reluctant to invest at the position overall. Third, we're not sure what back on the trade block would really move the meter in this way—at least that makes sense.
Still, it's notable that yet another reporter has the Chiefs searching for running back help.
KC among teams searching for RB help (11/2)
The New England Patriots and Houston Texans have joined the Chiefs in search for help in the backfield, per Dan Graziano of ESPN. Injuries to Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots) and Joe Mixon (Texans) have upped the urgency for both teams, while the Chiefs deal with Isiah Pacheco's injury. Names like Jaylen Wright (Miami Dolphins) and Jerome Ford (Cleveland Browns) are considered the most likely RBs to move.
Chiefs not among rumored teams in on Jaelan Phillips (11/1)
For all of the fingers crossed hoping for further edge help for the Chiefs, it sounds as if K.C. isn't in the rumored mix of teams trying to secure Jaelan Phillips at the trade deadline. Miami seems okay to deal him, but the latest rumors at The Athletic only have the Eagles, Patriots, and 49ers listed as interested parties. The Chiefs are, however, searching for defensive line help, per Dianna Russini.
Chiefs could add RB and DL (10/31)
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer has a lengthy rundown of trade rumors, including word that the Chiefs are kicking the tires on running backs with the recent injury to Isiah Pacheco. In Week 9, the Chiefs decided to elevate Clyde Edwards-Helaire from the practice squad, so for now, they'll see how internal options help, but if Pacheco loses some dynamism with the MCL sprain even after coming back, the Chiefs might want to make a move for the sake of security.
Everyone wants defensive line help (including KC) (10/31)
Reporter Jordan Schultz doesn't have any new information in his latest update (via his Instagram account), but he adds further fuel to the fire in his rundown of what teams are looking for heading into the week of the trade deadline. Schultz has the Chiefs "potentially" looking for a defensive lineman. He also notes that there will be plenty of competition for d-linemen since the Steelers, 49ers, Eagles, Lions, and Jaguars are also looking for the same.
Chiefs might be selling too (10/31)
Nothing but conjecture here, but it's worth noting all the same because the Chiefs have been both buyers and sellers in recent years. While we all remember the players coming in, the Chiefs have sent players like cornerback Rashad Fenton and offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif packing in the last few deadlines. Logan Ulrich of NFL Trade Rumors believes it could happen again, as cornerback Joshua Williams looks very expendable for K.C. He projects interest from the Colts and has a return of a 2026 7th-round choice for the Chiefs.