The Kansas City Chiefs didn't do much at the trade deadline, but they may have done just enough to get back to the mountaintop. Even if Josh Downs isn't a superstar by any means, he gives this team a third-down slot specialist with reliable hands.
The Chiefs were in desperate need of help at wide receiver, and it wouldn't have hurt to add more than one guy. According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, they tried to get their hands on Brian Thomas Jr., but to no avail.
However, even though the Jacksonville Jaguars don't want to trade him now, that doesn't mean they won't listen to offers later. The Chiefs have been fond of him since his days in college, so a trade might still eventually happen, just not this season.
Brian Thomas Jr. might not be long to play for Chiefs, just not in 2026
The Chiefs kept tabs on Thomas when he was at LSU and during the 2024 NFL Draft. Even with his recent struggles, the fact that they reached out to the Jaguars shows they're still big fans of his game, and that kind of interest just doesn't go away.
So, if the Jaguars keep favoring Parker Washington and other wide receivers over him, who's to say he won't ask for a trade? Even they can finally come to terms with the fact that he's not a good fit for the offense and that Liam Coen has all but given up on him.
The Jaguars didn't have to make a move now. They still have the second half of the regular season and the playoffs to decide whether to pick up his fifth-year option, and that should give other teams more clarity about his potential availability — or lack thereof.
There are many reasons to be skeptical about Thomas. He's a big vertical threat, but he has failed to add more juice to his game in recent years, and defenses may have caught up to him and his limited route tree.
Then again, the mere fact that the all-in Jaguars didn't even want to listen to trade talks suggests they believe he can still be saved. Giving up on a first-round pick three years into his rookie contract hasn't always worked out.
Whatever the case, the Chiefs have every reason to keep an eye out for every wide receiver who might become available, especially if they continue to be on the fence with Rashee Rice's next contract.
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