Chiefs Face Questions on Deadline Moves and Internal Fixes

Kansas City enters the week before the NFL trade deadline still viewed as an AFC contender, but recent losses to Seattle and Denver have raised questions about whether the team can separate itself from the conference’s other leading clubs. The Chiefs lost heavily in Seattle before letting a lead slip away in Denver, and the deadline falls a week after November 3.

The most obvious potential trade targets are at wide receiver and on the pass rush, areas where the team has sought more production. Possible receivers include Indianapolis’ Josh Downs, Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr. and Green Bay’s Dontayvion Wicks. A major move for a pass rusher such as Josh Sweat may be unlikely unless the cost falls, while any lesser addition would need to earn the coaching staff’s confidence.

The team could also look for improvement from players already on its roster. One option is to give rookie receiver Cyrus Allen a larger role. Another is to return to more under-center runs and play-action, building on the ground game that helped early in the season. On defense, increasing rookie R Mason Thomas’ pass-rushing opportunities could offer a path to a stronger rush.

Chris Jones’ recent quiet stretch is another concern. The 32-year-old defensive tackle has gone two weeks without a statistical contribution, though he was previously listed with a calf issue through Week 4 and has since been off the injury report. The team’s fourth-quarter decision in Denver to attempt a 54-yard field goal also drew criticism: cited win-probability estimates favored punting or going for it over kicking.