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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The Kansas City Chiefs lost their first game of the 2026 NFL season on Sunday, falling 20-3 to the Seattle Seahawks in a performance that exposed some serious weaknesses on offense.
Patrick Mahomes completed 19 of 33 passes for 165 yards and one interception, while the Chiefs finished with just 213 total yards and went just 3 for 11 on third downs. It was the first time in Mahomes career that Kansas City didn't get into the red zone.
With Rashee Rice sidelined by a hamstring injury and Tyquan Thornton on injured reserve with a dislocated ankle, Kansas City is short on receiving options and that became evident on Sunday. Their leading receivers were Noah Gray and Travis Kelce, both tight ends who finished with just 44 yards a piece. At 5-1, the Chiefs are still one of the top Super Bowl contenders, but the loss to Seattle showed how badly they need another playmaker who can consistently threaten opposing defenses.
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On Tuesday's episode of "Get Up," former All-Pro receiver and ESPN analyst Steve Smith Sr. made his position clear.
"The run game is lipstick on a pig," Smith said. "You need a wide receiver that can press the secondary," specifically identifying four trade targets for Kansas City: Josh Downs, George Pickens, Calvin Ridley, and Hollywood Brown.
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Downs would give Mahomes a reliable slot target who can create separation underneath and help move the chains. He currently leads all Colts receivers with 307 yards on 26 catches through seven games, potentially on pace for his best season yet. Indianapolis is in the midst of a rebuild and is expected to offload some of its talent in the coming weeks, and Downs would immediately give the Chiefs another reliable option, though his upside is limited.
Ridley, meanwhile, is a more proven outside receiver who already has three 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, including in 2023 with the Jaguars and 2024 with the Titans. He's recently been hampered by injuries and his production has dropped off sharply this season, with just 81 yards on five catches this season, but that may have more to do with Tennessee's offensive struggles under Cam Ward. He's still an experienced option that's proven to have big-play potential, and could be a buy-low target.
Brown would be the easiest fit as he already knows Andy Reid's system and has a rapport with Mahomes after spending the last two seasons in Kansas City. He hasn't been used much this year in Philadelphia, and the Eagles have also been named as somebody expected to be busy leading up to the trade deadline. His speed could instantly help restore the Chiefs' deep passing game.
Pickens, however, is easily the most exciting option. He offers size, contested-catch ability, and downfield explosiveness, coming off a breakout 1,429-yard, nine-touchdown season last year. He's firmly in his prime and he's on a one-year franchise tag, meaning the Chiefs wouldn't have to commit to him beyond this year, which the Cowboys don't seem intent on doing anyway. Pickens is definitely a receiver who can stretch the secondary, though he would also be more expensive
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The bottom line is Kansas City can't ignore its receiver problem. Thornton is expected to miss around 12 to 16 weeks, and Rice has already missed two straight games. With the Chiefs next heading to Denver to face the Broncos, and the deadline fast approaching on Tuesday, Nov. 10, Kansas City needs to act quickly if they want to add another dependable weapon.
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