The Kansas City Chiefs are bracing to be without both Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice for the foreseeable future after Friday night's frustrating defeat. More upsetting than the divisional loss was the fact that Travis Kelce accidentally collided with Worthy, causing a shoulder injury that appeared to be handled with an incredible level of gravity.
Looking at reactions on the sideline and how the receiver held his arm after the injury, his return shouldn't be expected anytime soon.
With this in mind, the Chiefs need to make a move to help Patrick Mahomes and give the veteran much-needed support. Rookie Jalen Royals is dealing with an injury as well, making Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster the quarterback's primary targets. This is far from ideal when you consider the past issues at the position. This leads to a potential surprise trade target that could answer all of Kansas City's concerns at the position.
Chiefs Should Target Underrated Saints Receiver Rashid Shaheed
If there is one team in the 2025 season that knows they aren't going anywhere, it is the New Orleans Saints. Any team that willingly signs up for Spencer Rattler as its primary starting quarterback is in a world of hurt. Add in the concerning cap issues, and Brett Veach should already be on the phone discussing New Orleans Saints speedy receiver Rashid Shaheed. Shaheed is on an expiring contract that is an extremely affordable $4 million cap hit.
The Saints can shed Shaheed in exchange for a pick, while the Chiefs can find a surprise option at a struggling position. The pass catcher has had over 1,000 yards in his last two seasons combined despite the complete dysfunction at the quarterback position in New Orleans. What makes Shaheed such a perfect fit as well is the fact that he is a consistent deep threat.
Speed and the ability to get lost in the defense has led to a number of highlight plays over the last two seasons, making Shaheed one of the few bright spots on the Saints' roster. Trading this away isn't going to be easy, but it is the right decision for a roster with zero future flexibility and no legitimate hopes of 2025 contention.
For the Chiefs, this is a win-now move that would be typically of an incredible front office. It isn't an overreaction of going out and overspending or attempting to find a failing veteran in free agency to breathe life back into. It adds a player who could be a future building block and fits in perfectly with what the Chiefs are building going forward.
Rice and Worthy will hopefully return this season, giving you an incredibly talented trio of starters once the roster is intact. Add in Brown and Smith-Schuster as the primary backups, and the Chiefs go from one of the worst in the league at the position to among the best.
While it isn't going to be easy to land a trade target this early in the season, if there is any GM capable of getting it done, it is Veach. No question, the Chiefs must at least reach out and gauge if New Orleans is willing to consider what would be a season-altering deal.