Chiefs Whiff on Prized Trade Target Who's Now Headed to NFC Contender
The Kansas City Chiefs are still the team to beat as the NFL trade deadline arrives on Tuesday. The defending Super Bowl Champions own a flawless 8-0 record through the first nine weeks of the campaign, leaving time to tell if general manager Brett Veach will make any last-minute additions to solidify his team's championship outlook.
The Chiefs already have one of the NFL's top defenses, but it never hurts to add more help. That's why some Kansas City fans were hoping that Veach would call the New Orleans Saints about star cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The four-time Pro Bowl defender is the exact type of player who can make a difference between a Super Bowl run and an early playoff exit.
But as great as Lattimore would look in a Chiefs jersey, the chances of him moving to Kansas City before the deadline are officially non-existent.
Chiefs News: Commanders Acquire CB Marshon Lattimore From Saints
NFL insider Adam Schefter is reporting that the Saints are trading Lattimore to the Washington Commanders. According to Schefter, New Orleans was in discussions with "multiple teams" about a potential deal, however, it went with Washington's offer in the end.
Schefter later added that the Commanders are trading third-, fourth-, and fifth-round picks in exchange for Lattimore while the Saints are also sending a fifth-round selection back in the former's direction.
The trade comes just a few days after Schefter linked Lattimore to the Chiefs in a potential deadline deal.
Based on the price that the Commanders paid, the Chiefs could've easily matched that offer. At the same time, New Orleans may have gone with Washington's pitch because those draft picks are likely more valuable than what Kansas City could offer in the event of another long postseason run.
Lattimore is in the middle of another strong season. The former 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year has tallied 22 solo tackles and two broken-up passes in seven games while playing to a 71.6 coverage grade on Pro Football Focus — the 37th-best mark among 205 eligible cornerbacks.
The Chiefs currently rank 13th in terms of coverage, so it's easy to see how they could've benefited from Lattimore's presence. Even though they didn't end up pulling off a deal with the Saints, Andy Reid & Co. can at least rest easy knowing that the ex-Ohio State CB wasn't moved to an AFC team.
Lattimore might not be a Chief, but that doesn't mean Kansas City is no longer a championship threat. The Chiefs will enter the NFL Week 10 schedule with the best odds to win Super Bowl LIX (+400) on DraftKings Sportsbook.
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