‘Wouldn’t be surprised if they add someone’ — NFL Insider provides latest Kansas City Chiefs trade rumors as Week 8 gets underway
The Kansas City Chiefs are hunting for a new wide receiver at the NFL Trade Deadline, and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport expects them to find one.
The Kansas City Chiefs are in the market for a wide receiver ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed last week that the team has been calling around, inquiring about players who might be available in trade. Now, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport has the latest on the trade rumors swirling about the Chiefs and wide receivers.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport drops two names to keep an eye on for the Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs will have WR Rashee Rice back this week. However, their depth and ability to stretch the field are depleted by the loss of Tyquan Thornton. They’re clearly looking for a specific prototype at the position. Two receivers in particular have caught Rapoport’s attention.
“They looked last week a little more mortal than they had in the past several weeks,” Rapoport said of the Chiefs. “It has been no secret they have been looking for a receiver on the trade market, looking to get a little more well-rounded as an offense, a little more explosive. Yes, Rashee Rice is back today, but (I) wouldn’t be surprised if they add someone. Names to keep an eye on: Josh Downs would be one, the Colts receiver, and then Brian Thomas Jr., if the Jaguars finally are willing to do it, would be another.”
We’ve been knocking on the Josh Downs door for several weeks now, using the A to Z Sports Trade Simulator. Brian Thomas Jr. is another player that makes sense, assuming the Jags change their tune on trading him. Plenty of other receivers could also make sense for Kansas City. What Downs and Thomas Jr. share? They’re both young players who could be a part of the Chiefs’ long-term plans. The other options don’t necessarily share those qualities.
However, the Colts and Jaguars are taking a risk with both players in Week 8’s game on Sunday morning.
Both Josh Downs and Brian Thomas Jr. are playing in Week 8 tilt between Colts and Jags
Both Downs and Thomas Jr. are active and playing in Week 8’s game between the Colts and Jaguars. Downs was not targeted at all during the first quarter, but played a number of snaps and ran several different routes. Thomas Jr. scored a 12-yard touchdown in the first quarter, marking his second touchdown reception of the 2026 NFL season. The Colts’ defense broke up his other target. If both players truly are on the trade block, their teams are taking a big risk by playing them in Week 8.
Thomas Jr. was a first-round pick out of LSU in the 2024 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he caught 87 passes for over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. He wasn’t nearly as effective in 2025, and he’s had a slow start in 2026. Downs was a third-round pick out of UNC in the 2023 NFL Draft. During his best NFL season in 2024, Downs caught 72 passes for 803 yards and five touchdowns.
