Chiefs just saw Amari Cooper seemingly become available via trade

On one hand, things are going swell for the Kansas City Chiefs as they roll into Week 5 with a record of 4-0 in their quest for a three-peat.

On the other hand, this week has started off in a difficult manner after watching star wide receiver Rashee Rice go down with what many believe to be a serious knee injury. For the time being, it's going to be all on rookie wideout Xavier Worthy to step up into the WR1 role.

Of course, tight end Travis Kelce has no choice but to be a key part of the offense going forward, now. After three weeks of speculation over whether he's lost a step, Kelce came out and proved he's far from done against the Chargers on Sunday, and the Chiefs now need him more than ever.

With Rice's timeline currently unclear on a potential return, one thing most are in unison about is the idea that it's going to be a while. Therefore, the Chiefs need to make a move. There's no other way to say it.

Oddly enough, on Monday, one other AFC team made headlines by implementing significant tweaks to their top wide receiver's contract.

Prior to this season, Amari Cooper wanted more money from the Browns, and justifiably so. Every other top wideout was seemingly getting a raise, so he wanted in on the action. Cleveland obliged by restructuring Cooper's deal to give him a $5 million raise while guaranteeing $20 million of this season's salary.

Now, after just four weeks, the Browns have made it very apparent that Cooper is available via trade with this latest move.

Can the Chiefs pull off an Amari Cooper trade with the Browns?

If the Chiefs traded for Cooper, they would only take on that cap number of $941,111 for this season while Cooper would be set to hit free agency in 2025.

In short, yes, Kansas City most certainly could make an Amari Cooper trade work with the Browns.

From the Browns' side of things, they are reeling. They have no idea who their franchise quarterback is. Don't let anybody fool you, there's no chance Cleveland is truly bought into Deshaun Watson. This is a franchise that's been set back a few years because of that decision once upon a time.

At 1-3, the Browns are all but guaranteed to be sellers at the deadline, with Cooper being arguably their top trade chip. And, because he's a free agent after this season, the Browns likely wouldn't get more than a mid-round pick for their top wideout.

Let's say Kansas City only had to give up a fifth-round pick for the veteran wide receiver. Cleveland might not be able to get much better than that. Although, if another team came calling with a fifth rounder, Brett Veach may have to up his offer to something around the likes of a fifth and a sixth-round pick.

Even so, that's well-worth grabbing a sure-handed Pro Bowl caliber wide receiver for Patrick Mahomes. These are now desperate times without Rice, Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco.

Your move, Mr. Veach.