The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off another Super Bowl appearance in 2024, are no strangers to success. With Patrick Mahomes at the helm, the Chiefs have consistently fielded one of the NFL’s most potent offenses. However, the 2024 season exposed vulnerabilities in their wide receiver corps, particularly after injuries to key players like Rashee Rice and the departure of veterans like Marquez Valdes-Scantling. As the 2025 offseason unfolds, a pressing question looms: should the Chiefs trade for a top-tier wide receiver to bolster their offense? This article explores the case for and against such a move, with a focus on potential trade targets like New Orleans Saints’ Chris Olave and the Chiefs’ current roster dynamics.
The Case for Trading for a Top Wide Receiver
The Chiefs’ passing game in 2024, while still effective, lacked the consistency of previous seasons. Rashee Rice emerged as a reliable target before suffering a serious injury, and rookie Xavier Worthy showed flashes of brilliance with his speed, notably scoring a 3-yard rushing touchdown against the Saints in Week 5. However, the depth behind these players was thin. Veterans like JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Travis Kelce carried much of the load, but Kelce’s age (35) and Smith-Schuster’s injury history raise concerns about long-term reliability.
A top wide receiver could provide Mahomes with a dependable, high-upside target to elevate the offense. Chris Olave, a 24-year-old former first-round pick from the New Orleans Saints, has been floated as a potential trade candidate. Olave has shown elite potential, posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023, though his 2024 campaign was hampered by injuries and inconsistent quarterback play. His youth, route-running ability, and speed make him an ideal fit for Andy Reid’s system, which thrives on creating mismatches.
Trading for a player like Olave could also address the Chiefs’ need for stability at the position. As noted by analyst David Latham, Olave’s reliability could complement Worthy’s big-play potential and Rice’s versatility, ensuring Mahomes has a consistent target even if injuries strike again. Moreover, with the Saints reportedly in rebuild mode following Derek Carr’s retirement and a disappointing 2024 season, Olave could be available for the right price, potentially a mid-round draft pick or a combination of assets.
The Case Against a Trade
While the idea of adding a star like Olave is enticing, there are reasons to hesitate. The Chiefs’ offense, even with its 2024 limitations, still ranked among the NFL’s best, averaging over 330 yards per game. Mahomes’ ability to elevate lesser-known receivers, combined with Reid’s creative play-calling, has historically mitigated deficiencies in the receiver room. For example, Worthy’s emergence as a rookie suggests he could develop into a WR1 with another year of experience, reducing the need for a costly trade.
Financially, the Chiefs face challenges. With Mahomes’ $66.3 million cap hit in 2025, along with significant contracts for Kelce ($19.8 million) and defensive lineman Chris Jones ($34.8 million), cap space is limited. Acquiring Olave, who is due for a contract extension after his fifth-year option in 2026, could strain the budget, especially if the Saints demand a high trade package. The Chiefs have also invested in young defensive talent, like safety Jaden Hicks, who replaced the departed Justin Reid, indicating a priority on balancing both sides of the ball. Diverting resources to a receiver might compromise their ability to address other needs, such as the offensive line or secondary.
Additionally, the Chiefs’ front office, led by Brett Veach, has a track record of finding value in the draft and free agency. Their 2025 draft pick, offensive lineman Josh Simmons, addressed a critical need, and undrafted free agents have historically contributed to their roster. Rather than trading for a high-profile receiver, the Chiefs could opt for a cheaper veteran or another draft pick to complement Worthy and Rice.
The Justin Reid Connection
The departure of safety Justin Reid to the New Orleans Saints in free agency adds an interesting layer to the discussion. Reid, a Louisiana native and two-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, signed a three-year, $31.5 million deal with the Saints in March 2025. His move reunites him with former Chiefs teammates like Tyrann Mathieu and Khalen Saunders, suggesting a pipeline of talent between the two teams. This connection could facilitate trade talks, as the Saints and Chiefs have a history of transactions, including the 2023 preseason game where Reid faced his future team. However, Reid’s exit also underscores the Chiefs’ willingness to let key players walk to maintain cap flexibility, which could influence their approach to a potential Olave trade.
Conclusion: To Trade or Not to Trade?
The Chiefs stand at a crossroads. Trading for a top wide receiver like Chris Olave could solidify their offense and maximize Mahomes’ prime, especially as they aim to rebound from their Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Olave’s skill set aligns perfectly with Kansas City’s needs, and the Saints’ rebuilding phase might make him attainable. However, the financial and roster implications of such a move cannot be ignored. With Worthy’s potential, Rice’s return, and Reid’s play-calling genius, the Chiefs might be better served sticking with their current group and addressing other priorities.
Ultimately, the decision hinges on Veach’s confidence in his young receivers and the team’s cap management strategy. If the Chiefs believe Worthy can take a second-year leap and Rice can stay healthy, they may pass on a blockbuster trade. But if they see Olave as the missing piece for another Super Bowl run, a deal could be in the cards. For now, Chiefs Kingdom will have to wait and see whether Veach rolls the dice on a star receiver or trusts the process that has made Kansas City a dynasty.