NFL Insider says Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach was hunting for more than wide receiver Josh Downs at the trade deadline
Everyone knew wide receiver was the Chiefs’ top priority before the deadline, but a new report says general manager Brett Veach was also shopping for help on the other side of the ball.
Everyone knew the wide receiver position was top of mind for the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the 2026 NFL trade deadline. Kansas City eventually landed WR Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts, but GM Brett Veach’s shopping list didn’t stop at pass catchers.
According to a new report from ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Chiefs also explored a trade for a defensive player. Chiefs fans would probably assume that meant a pass rusher. However, that’s not the case here.
What ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported about the Chiefs’ deadline plans
Per Fowler, the Chiefs staved off Indianapolis’ desire for a third-round draft pick in the Downs deal. Kansas City instead acquired Downs in exchange for fourth- and fifth-round picks, with a seventh-round pick returning to the Chiefs. Fowler also confirmed the Chiefs’ interest in WR Brian Thomas Jr., which we already knew about.
The other position the Chiefs were looking to add to is cornerback. Fowler addressed it in his Week 10 trade deadline buzz article.
“The Chiefs’ search for a wide receiver came down to the wire. As of last week, the leaguewide sentiment was the Chiefs were willing to part with a fourth-round pick for Josh Downs. But Indianapolis held out for more, even waiting until around 3:30 p.m. ET Tuesday to finally consummate the deal. The belief is that Indy wanted a third-round pick. It eventually got fourth- and fifth-rounders in exchange for Downs and a seventh-round selection. Downs would have gone to Pittsburgh, which had interest, but definitely wanted Kansas City. The Chiefs also had interest in Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr. but were told no by the Jaguars. And the Chiefs also looked at the cornerback market but ultimately didn’t do a deal there.”
Jeremy Fowler
ESPN NFL INSIDER
The news raises a big question.
Why could the Kansas City Chiefs be hunting for cornerback help?
Many Chiefs fans’ initial reaction to this news was that the team has reservations about the shoulder injury to rookie CB Mansoor Delane, the 6th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Delane has already missed multiple games with the shoulder injury at different junctures of the season. However, he is expected to return for Week 10’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.
I don’t know how much this has to do with Delane’s injury status. To be fair, it’s probably a contributing factor, given that this is a nagging injury. I think this likely has more to do with Kansas City’s slot cornerback situation.
The Chiefs signed veteran CB L’Jarius Sneed ahead of the 2026 NFL season to play both inside and outside. He mostly played in the slot, and he struggled. He struggled so much that the team ultimately placed him on injured reserve with a nagging knee injury.
It’s unclear if Sneed will return this season. Even if he does return, they still need an upgrade at the position. Still, his absence has left Kansas City in a bit of a conundrum at slot cornerback.
Kansas City’s slot cornerback and depth problem
Since Sneed’s injury, the Chiefs have primarily used S Chris Roland-Wallace in the slot. He’s been fine there with a few standout plays, but I’m not sure that DC Steve Spagnuolo envisions the slot as a full-time role for him. He’s one of the team’s most versatile players, and might be their best option at single high safety.
The Chiefs have also relied on rookie defensive back Jadon Canady, who played 11 snaps against the New York Jets in Week 9. Chamarri Conner has also factored in, but they tried to move him to a full-time safety role this offseason. Kansas City doesn’t have a true slot cornerback option.
The Chiefs feel comfortable and confident with CBs Nohl Williams and Kristian Fulton on the outside. Even so, it’s clear they want improvements at slot cornerback and more overall depth at outside cornerback. As things stand, if Delane were injured, Kansas City would have only Melvin Smith Jr. as a backup on the 53-man roster. D’Arco Perkins-McAllister is the only cornerback on the practice squad.
The group is young, inexperienced, and lacks a veteran presence, both in depth and as a potential starter. The Chiefs didn’t land that help before the deadline, so the questions at slot cornerback will follow them through the second half of the season. It’s not clear if there’s an answer out there for them. The fact that they “ultimately didn’t do a deal there” suggests they think they can get it done with the players they currently have.
