The latest addition to the Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receiver room — the signing of Justin Watson to the practice squad — may not be the signing the Chiefs Kingdom expected, but it also may not be the only new face in the group this season.
The season-long injury to wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (dislocated ankle) puts the team in position to look at ways to improve the position. We expect the Cheetah, Tyreek Hill, to return to the Chiefs this season, but there are no guarantees.
If a significant move is made, it could be a trade. This isn’t the first time general manager Brett Veach has traded for a wide receiver midseason.
- 2022: Traded a compensatory third-round pick and a sixth-round pick for Kadarius Toney
- 2023: Traded future sixth-round pick for Mecole Hardman
- 2024: Traded a fifth-round pick for DeAndre Hopkins
So who could Kansas City get via trade? The NFL Trade Deadline is November 10th, less than a month from now. Rumors are starting to swirl, and according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, there could be a receiver on the (3-2) Cleveland Browns.
“Jerry Jeudy… the Browns obviously like the young receiver group they have and are building… Jeudy made some big plays in Thursday night’s win [the Pittsburgh Steelers]but then only played 24 snaps on Sunday, even with (KC Concepcion) left early with a concussion.”
“It’s pretty well known around the league that Jeudy is available, but my understanding is that Cleveland wants something in the early-third-to-fourth range; I’m just not sure they can get it.”
Six years ago, Jeudy was the 15th overall pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2020 NFL Draft, which was the first criteria that stood out regarding the trade for him. Whether it’s Toney or Hopkins, or even wide receiver Josh Gordon in 2021, Veach is targeting former high-end talents or former first-round picks when the organization has no prior history with them.
Still, there are some ties to the Chiefs: Wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea coached Jeudy for two seasons in Cleveland, including a Pro Bowl campaign in 2024 in which Jeudy gained 1,229 yards on 90 receptions. This was the only Pro Bowl season of Jeudy’s career.
This season, Jeudy has been mired in the rotation and caught just eight passes for 81 yards. However, he showed he can make plays downfield in Cleveland. During the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Jeudy caught 12 passes thrown 20 or more yards downfield, for 438 yards and four touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus.
Jeudy is a volatile playmaker; he had 19 drops between the 2024 and 2025 campaigns.
If Cleveland is motivated to seek draft compensation for Jeudy’s talents, the Chiefs are a strong fit based on Jeudy’s pedigree, relationships with O’Shea and what he brings to the offense.
If Kansas City can send a Day 3 pick for the 27-year-old wideout, it could be a strong option to replace the Chiefs’ playmaking for this season and beyond without taking too much risk. He is signed through the 2027 season, with a $13.4 million cap hit next year.
Editor’s Note: Jeudy’s contract includes a nearly $23 million non-guaranteed option bonus next season. Financially, a team would likely be motivated to get out of that contract before using his services in 2027.
Do you like the idea of Kansas City trading for Jeudy? Let us know in the comments.