The Kansas City Chiefs have been put in a frustrating position to start the season by Rashee Rice's suspension. However, KC's wide receiver troubles were only magnified in Week 1 with rookie Jalen Royals forced to miss the Brazil tilt, and Xavier Worthy suffering a potentially serious shoulder injury during that contest.
These injuries have instantly changed the situation, even with Rice slated to return before the midseason point, and should push the Chiefs to make a move in the coming weeks. Looking around the league, one interesting fit for a potential deal is current New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave.
The Chiefs Front Office Could Attempt Blockbuster Deal for Saints Receiver Chris Olave
New Orleans is stuck with the worst quarterback situation in the league and should be looking to begin a rebuild. This means dealing away expiring contracts and veterans who no longer fit the timeline of contention. Near the top of this list is Olave, who has continued to play well despite the complete dysfunction that has emerged for the Saints.
Olave is yet to play with an above-average starter, making the move all the more enticing. Handing the Saints a Day 2 pick in exchange for Olave makes sense for both sides. New Orleans isn't going to have a problem finding another primary option. The biggest issue is finding the right quarterback and rebuilding in the trenches, which it could do with premium draft capital.
Instantly, Olave would make the Chiefs Super Bowl favorites once again and take pressure off Rice when he returns later in the year. There is someone capable of doing the heavy lifting and giving the receiver time to get back up to speed. This further trickles down throughout the offense, taking pressure off Travis Kelce and Hollywood Brown, putting both players back in roles they are far more suited to fill.
Perhaps the one hiccup here is whether or not the Chiefs are going to be willing to pay Olave right now. Using cap space to pay the receiver leaves the status of Rice in question, who's also due for his first big extension soon. Olave's injury history also affects how much the team may offer on a per-year basis.
Still, the Chiefs could use the 2025 campaign as a feeling out period before committing. New Orleans would incur a dead cap hit around $20 million in any Olave swap, but it's at least worth reaching out and seeing if there is any level of interest.