The Kansas City Chiefs look like they are all the way back.
Patrick Mahomes has the team in position to make another serious run at a Super Bowl. However, if general manager Brett Veach wants to give Kansas City its best chance of winning another championship, adding another wide receiver before the 2026 NFL trade deadline should be a priority.
Rashee Rice is playing on a contract year, and with off-field issues and injuries, his long-term future in Kansas City is uncertain. Rice is out for the Week 6 matchup against the Chargers.
Xavier Worthy brings speed and can stretch the field, but he has yet to establish himself as one of the NFL's elite wide receivers. The Chiefs don't even have a reliable WR3.
Mahomes could use another dynamic playmaker capable of changing a game with one touch, similar to what Tyreek Hill provided during his time with the Chiefs. Kansas City does not necessarily need to land a superstar to improve its chances. However, these three players have superstar potential and should be on Veach's radar as the deadline approaches.
George Pickens
If the Chiefs want to make a major splash, George Pickens should be at the top of their list.
Pickens is playing under the franchise tag in Dallas after the two sides failed to agree to a long-term extension. That leaves his future uncertain beyond the 2026 season, and the Cowboys could face a difficult decision if they fall out of contention. Trading him would not be an easy choice, especially considering his ability to stretch the field and make contested catches, but Dallas could at least consider the possibility of recouping draft capital rather than risk losing him in free agency.
Of course, Jerry Jones would likely demand a substantial return, and Kansas City would also have to consider the financial commitment required to keep him beyond this season. But if the Chiefs believe Pickens can become Mahomes' top target for the next four or five years, the investment could be worthwhile. He would give Kansas City a difference-maker and potentially become the next face of its receiving corps.
Jerry Jeudy
Jerry Jeudy would be a different kind of addition, but he could still make a meaningful impact in Kansas City. The Cleveland Browns receiver has found himself in a reduced role, and a change of scenery could give him an opportunity to become a more consistent contributor.
Jeudy has the route-running ability to fit into Andy Reid's offense. Playing alongside Mahomes could also help him maximize his strengths, particularly if the Chiefs can get him the ball in space and allow him to create after the catch.
Unlike Pickens, Jeudy would not necessarily require a massive trade package. If Cleveland is willing to move him, Kansas City could potentially acquire him for a Day 3 draft pick while adding an experienced receiver to its rotation. The Chiefs would not be betting on Jeudy becoming a superstar. They would be giving Mahomes another capable target who could make defenses account for one more weapon.
With Rice's long-term future uncertain, adding a receiver who can contribute immediately would give Kansas City more flexibility heading into the offseason.
Article Continues BelowBrian Thomas Jr.
Brian Thomas Jr. might be the most intriguing buy-low candidate of the three. The Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver showed tremendous potential as a rookie, recording 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024. Since then, however, his production has fallen considerably, leaving questions about why he has struggled to recapture that form.
Thomas still has the physical tools to become a dangerous NFL receiver. A move to Kansas City could provide a fresh start, while Reid's offensive system and Mahomes' ability to extend plays could help Thomas rediscover his confidence.
The Jaguars would have little reason to give him away for a bargain, particularly because of the talent he has already shown. Kansas City would need to make a serious offer, and the front office would have to determine whether Thomas' struggles are temporary or signs of a larger issue. Still, his upside could make him worth pursuing if Jacksonville becomes willing to listen.
The Chiefs have a chance to make another championship run, but they should not assume their current receiving group is enough. Pickens would provide star potential, Jeudy could offer immediate help, and Thomas would give Kansas City a chance to develop a talented young receiver.
Veach does not need to land all three. Finding the right fit at the right price could be enough to give Mahomes another weapon and make the Chiefs even more dangerous when the postseason arrives.