There has been significant speculation about whether the Kansas City Chiefs might trade for a wide receiver before the November 5 NFL trade deadline. However, comments from quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Wednesday, October 16, may provide insight into the team’s mindset regarding their current receiver group.
“I have extreme confidence in the guys on the field,” Mahomes said during his press conference. “They’ve won games, Super Bowls, and made plays in big moments. Brett Veach does a great job of bringing in players who can step up when needed.
“Every time I’m on the field, I feel like we have the best chance to win. That’s a credit to Brett Veach and Coach Andy Reid for bringing in guys who work hard every day to be great.”
Mahomes’ Praise Follows Strong Week 5 Performance
Although Mahomes was unlikely to criticize his teammates, his confidence in the receiver room seems justified given their recent success.
In Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City’s first game without receiver Rashee Rice, Mahomes completed 28-of-39 passes for a season-high 331 yards. JuJu Smith-Schuster, who stepped into the role vacated by Rice, caught a season-high seven passes for 130 yards. Tight end Travis Kelce also had a standout game, recording nine receptions for 70 yards.
The Chiefs’ passing game against the Saints resembled their 2022 approach, when Kelce and Smith-Schuster were Mahomes’ primary targets. That season, of course, ended with a Super Bowl victory.
It’s possible that Mahomes, along with the coaching staff and front office, genuinely believes the current receiver group is enough to carry them through the rest of the season. However, that doesn’t mean the team couldn’t benefit from adding a veteran receiver to bolster their depth.
Mahomes Commends JuJu Smith-Schuster
After a short stint with the New England Patriots, Smith-Schuster, 27, returned to the Chiefs on August 26. Initially lower on the depth chart, Rice’s season-ending injury moved him into a key role in Week 4.
Mahomes praised Smith-Schuster’s impact, explaining why he excels in Kansas City’s offense.
“I think JuJu just knows where to be, understands the full offensive concept, gets open in man-to-man coverage, and does whatever it takes to succeed,” Mahomes said on October 16. “He’ll block, catch the ball, run routes to help others get open. He’s a true team player, and when his number is called, he makes the play—that’s what it takes to be great in this league.”
