With Rashee Rice doubtlessly out for the season and Marquise Brown sidelined till at the very least the playoffs, the Chiefs could must search for outdoors assist at large receiver. NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport expects the Chiefs to “exit and take a look at choices” on the place with a commerce being “at the very least” in consideration.
Rapoport notes that the Chiefs entrance workplace is usually “open-minded” and considers each alternative because it seems to plug holes, so a commerce would certainly be a logical route for the WR-needy squad. Rapoport pointed to the crew’s sudden acquisition of Kadarius Toney in 2022, which got here because the group was navigating a post-Tyreek Hill period.
One potential identify that Rapoport pointed to is Titans large receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans are presently 0-3 and in the event that they proceed going the mistaken method within the standings, there’s an excellent probability the veteran wideout shall be accessible on the commerce deadline. Rapoport additionally famous that fashionable commerce candidate Amari Cooper might match the Chiefs’ payroll because of his low base wage, however the reporter rejected the concept of Jaguars wideout Christian Kirk becoming into the cap sheet.
Rookie first-round WR Xavier Worthy acquired right into a career-high 45 snaps on Sunday and can doubtless be a part of Travis Kelce as one in every of Patrick Mahomes‘ most popular targets transferring ahead. The crew has additionally leaned on the likes of Justin Watson and JuJu Smith-Schuster for about half of its offensive snaps by the primary month of the season. Skyy Moore and Mecole Hardman acquired prolonged cameos on Sunday after Rice was knocked out of the sport. Rapoport famous that Brown might return to the Chiefs in time for the postseason, but it surely’s unlikely the offense shall be hanging its hopes on the injured receiver.
As for Rice, Josina Anderson stories that the receiver is searching for “at the very least” a second opinion on his injured knee in an try and “collect extra info.” The Chiefs have additionally mentioned “potential home windows for surgical procedure” so it sounds like several extra readability will influence Rice’s 2025 availability (versus an sudden late-season return in 2024).
