Trade Targets Sought at Deadline by the Kansas City Chiefs

As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Kansas City Chiefs—perennial Super Bowl contenders—are strategically evaluating potential trade targets to address key roster gaps and solidify their chances of another deep playoff run. While the Chiefs’ core roster (led by Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones) remains elite, injuries and inconsistent play in specific positions have created opportunities to upgrade. General manager Brett Veach has a history of making calculated deadline moves (e.g., acquiring Jarran Reed in 2022 and Kadarius Toney in 2023) that pay immediate dividends, and this year’s targets align with the team’s most pressing needs: defensive line depth, secondary reinforcement, and offensive line insurance. Trade Targets Sought at Deadline by the Kansas City Chiefs breaks down the top candidates on the Chiefs’ radar, the rationale behind each target, and the likelihood of a deal coming to fruition.

Trade Targets Sought at Deadline by the Kansas City Chiefs begins with the team’s most critical need: a rotational defensive tackle to support Chris Jones and Frank Clark. The Chiefs’ interior defensive line has struggled to maintain consistency without Jones, who missed two games earlier this season with a calf injury. A top target here is Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound veteran with 4 sacks and 18 tackles this season. Ogunjobi is in the final year of his contract, making the Steelers more likely to part with him for a mid-round draft pick—something the Chiefs can afford to give up (they hold three third-round picks in 2025). Ogunjobi’s ability to clog run lanes (he ranks 12th among defensive tackles in run-stop win rate, per Pro Football Focus) and generate interior pressure would directly address the Chiefs’ issues against teams with strong rushing attacks (like the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens). “Ogunjobi is exactly the type of player the Chiefs need,” said NFL insider Ian Rapoport. “He’s a proven contributor who can step in and play meaningful snaps immediately, and his contract situation makes him a low-risk, high-reward target.”

To address the Chiefs’ secondary concerns—specifically depth at cornerback and safety—Trade Targets Sought at Deadline by the Kansas City Chiefs highlights Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson as a prime candidate. Wilson, a third-year player, has emerged as a reliable boundary corner for the Cardinals, with 3 interceptions and 8 pass breakups this season. The Cardinals, who are rebuilding and hold the NFL’s worst record, are likely open to trading Wilson for a late-round draft pick. For the Chiefs, Wilson would provide much-needed depth behind starters L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie, especially with backup cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace sidelined with a back injury. Wilson’s speed (4.45-second 40-yard dash) and experience in zone coverage align perfectly with Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme, which relies on cornerbacks to read quarterbacks and adjust coverage on the fly. “Wilson is a young player with upside, which fits the Chiefs’ model of acquiring players who can contribute now and grow with the team,” said former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah. “He’s not a Pro Bowler yet, but he’s consistent, and that’s exactly what the Chiefs need in their secondary.”

Trade Targets Sought at Deadline by the Kansas City Chiefs also includes a focus on offensive line insurance, a position the Chiefs have prioritized in recent years to protect Patrick Mahomes. While the starting O-line (left tackle Donovan Smith, left guard Joe Thuney, center Creed Humphrey, right guard Trey Smith, right tackle Jawaan Taylor) has been solid, depth remains a concern—backup guard Nick Allegretti is playing through a shoulder strain, and rookie tackle Wanya Morris has just 10 NFL snaps to his name. A top target here is New England Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown, a 6-foot-8, 380-pound veteran who has played both left and right tackle in his career. Brown is in the final year of his contract, and the Patriots—who are out of playoff contention—could be willing to trade him for a late-round pick. Brown’s experience (he’s won two Super Bowls) and ability to play multiple positions would give the Chiefs flexibility to rest starters down the stretch and fill in if injuries occur. For the Kansas City Chiefs, Brown’s addition would be a proactive move to ensure Mahomes stays protected during the playoffs, when pass rushes become more aggressive. “Protecting Mahomes is the Chiefs’ top priority, and Brown gives them a proven tackle who can step in if Taylor or Smith gets hurt,” said NFL analyst Mike Florio. “This is the kind of move that doesn’t make headlines but can win championships.”

Another key layer of Trade Targets Sought at Deadline by the Kansas City Chiefs is the team’s approach to salary cap management, which will dictate which deals are feasible. The Chiefs currently have approximately \(8 million in available cap space, enough to absorb the contracts of Ogunjobi (earning \)8 million this season), Wilson (\(2.5 million), or Brown (\)11 million). To make room for Brown, the Chiefs could restructure the contract of a veteran like Frank Clark (who has a \(20 million cap hit in 2024) or release a player with a non-guaranteed contract (like backup tight end Blake Bell, who earns \)3 million). Veach has a history of creative cap management—he restructured Chris Jones’ contract last season to free up space—and this year will be no different. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the goal is to acquire impact players without sacrificing future flexibility, which means focusing on players in the final year of their contracts. “The Chiefs aren’t going to give up a first-round pick or take on a long-term, high-priced contract,” said salary cap expert Jason Fitzgerald. “They’re looking for short-term fixes that help them win now, and that’s exactly what these targets offer.”

The final dimension of Trade Targets Sought at Deadline by the Kansas City Chiefs is the likelihood of deals and what happens if the Chiefs can’t acquire their top targets. If Ogunjobi is unavailable (the Steelers might hold onto him if they make a late playoff push), the Chiefs could pivot to Chicago Bears defensive tackle Justin Jones, who has 2 sacks and 15 tackles this season. For the secondary, if Wilson is off the table, the Chiefs could target New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Maye, a veteran with playoff experience. On the offensive line, backup options include Detroit Lions tackle Matt Nelson and Jacksonville Jaguars guard Ben Bartch. Even if the Chiefs don’t make a high-profile trade, they’re likely to add depth via waiver claims or practice squad elevations—something they’ve done successfully in the past (e.g., signing wide receiver Mecole Hardman off waivers in 2023). For the Kansas City Chiefs, the trade deadline is about maximizing their chances of winning a Super Bowl, not making a splash. “We’re always looking to improve, but we’re also confident in the roster we have,” head coach Andy Reid said recently. “If the right deal comes along, we’ll make it. If not, we’ll rely on the guys in our locker room to get the job done.” As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Brett Veach to see if he can work his magic again—and help the Chiefs take another step toward Lombardi Trophy number three.