Speculation about the Kansas City Chiefs potentially trading for a wide receiver ahead of the November 5 NFL trade deadline has been rampant. However, quarterback Patrick Mahomes’s remarks on October 16 may provide insight into the team’s current stance on enhancing their receiving corps.
Mahomes expressed significant confidence in his teammates, stating, “I have extreme confidence with the guys that are on that football field. They’ve won games, they’ve won Super Bowls, they’ve made plays in big moments, and Brett Veach does a great job of bringing in players who step up when needed.” He added that he feels the team is well-equipped to win, crediting Veach and head coach Andy Reid for recruiting hard-working players.
Mahomes’s praise for the receiving group seems justified, especially considering the team’s recent performance. In Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints—Kansas City’s first game without receiver Rashee Rice—Mahomes completed 28 of 39 passes for a season-high 331 yards. JuJu Smith-Schuster, who stepped into a larger role following Rice’s injury, caught a season-high seven passes for 130 yards, while tight end Travis Kelce had his best game of the season with nine receptions for 70 yards.
The Chiefs’ passing game against the Saints resembled their successful 2022 season, where Kelce and Smith-Schuster were Mahomes’s primary targets. That season culminated in the team winning the Super Bowl.
While Mahomes, the coaching staff, and the front office might be confident in the current receiving group’s capabilities for the remainder of the season, it doesn’t preclude the possibility of the two-time defending champions making moves to strengthen their roster, possibly by acquiring a veteran for added depth.
Mahomes also lauded Smith-Schuster, who returned to the Chiefs on August 26 after a tough time with the New England Patriots. Initially lower on the depth chart, Smith-Schuster was thrust into a key role following Rice’s injury in Week 4. Mahomes highlighted Smith-Schuster’s understanding of the offense, his ability to create separation in man-to-man coverage, and his willingness to do whatever it takes to contribute to the team’s success, including blocking and running routes to help other players get open. “He’s just a true team player,” Mahomes said, emphasizing Smith-Schuster’s readiness to make plays when called upon.
