Despite taking a 24-9 upset loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs are still in firm control of the AFC West at 6-2.
In fact, they're the only team in the division with a winning record. With a win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night, the LA Chargers improved to 3-4, the same mark the Las Vegas Raiders take into their Monday night matchup with the Detroit Lions. Despite their surprising win over the Chiefs, the Broncos remain in last place at 3-5.
So, one wouldn't think Kansas City would have much trouble winning an eighth straight division title. The Chiefs will, however, have plenty of competition for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Following Week 8, the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Baltimore Ravens all own the same 6-2 record as the Chiefs, and the Buffalo Bills sit just a game back at 5-3.
Now, the Chiefs could undoubtedly reach the Super Bowl for a second straight year with the roster they have now. Such is the luxury of having All-Pro talent like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones.
But if GM Brett Veach wants to give Andy Reid a few more weapons with which to work, he has the ability to do so ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday afternoon. The question is whether or not he's willing to pull the trigger.
Here's a look at three players the Chiefs could target ahead of the 4:00 p.m. Halloween deadline.
Josey Jewell, LB, Denver Broncos
While linebacker Josey Jewell may not be the most high-profile member on the Denver Broncos roster who could be moved at the deadline, he's undoubtedly someone who makes a lot of sense for the Kansas City Chiefs.
For one, the Chiefs need help at linebacker as Nick Bolton was just placed on injured reserve after suffering a dislocated wrist during Kansas City's Week 7 win over the Chargers.
It's also a plus that Jewell, whom the Broncos drafted in the fourth round in 2018, is in the final year of his contract, meaning the Chiefs would have zero obligation to him at season's end.
While not nearly as athletic as Bolton, Jewell has been among the league's better tacklers over the last few years and added five to his total in Denver's win over Kansas City on Sunday, also recording a pass deflection.
The 28-year-old has a phenomenal work ethic and excellent instincts and would be a perfect fit for Steve Spagnuolo's stellar defensive unit.
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Devin Bush could also be a nice option to fill the void left by Bolton's injury.
Marquise Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals
While it's been reported that the Arizona Cardinals won't be shopping wideout Marquise Brown at the trade deadline, I firmly believe Brett Veach could make this happen.
Like Jewell, Brown is set to be an unrestricted free agent once the 2023 campaign concludes. And Arizona apparently wants "Hollywood" to be a part of their long-term plans. But if the Cardinals genuinely believe they can bring him back to the desert, why not also get a draft pick or two and possibly a decent player from the Chiefs and then attempt to re-sign him in the offseason like they're going to do anyway?
Despite being in a run-heavy environment for three years with the Baltimore Ravens and playing with mediocre quarterbacks in Kyler Murray (people need to stop pretending he's anywhere close to elite) and Joshua Dobbs in his two seasons with the Cardinals, Brown has put up strong numbers since entering the league in 2019, recording exactly 300 receptions for 3,486 yards with 28 touchdowns in 66 regular-season games.
And let's get real here. While Patrick Mahomes has a solid receiving corps, Marquez Valdes-Scantling hasn't been worth the $11 million he's being paid this year, and Kadarius Toney has been a disappointment as well.
Thankfully for Mahomes, Travis Kelce continues to do Travis Kelce things, and second-round rookie Rashee Rice has stepped up beautifully. Adding Marquise Brown to the mix could bring back the speed the Chiefs have been missing a bit since they lost Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Tennessee Titans
Making a move for DeAndre Hopkins might have been a lot cheaper for the Kansas City Chiefs a few days ago, given what the five-time Pro Bowler did in Week 8.
While Hopkins had put up decent numbers for the Tennessee Titans through seven weeks, catching 27 passes for 376 yards in an average offensive system with average quarterback play, he hadn't yet found the end zone.
Of course, that all changed on Sunday as the three-time All-Pro helped Will Levis make a little NFL history in his debut, catching four passes from the rookie QB for 128 yards, three of which went for touchdowns in Tennessee's 28-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
The Titans have already looked like sellers ahead of the trade deadline, and Hopkins' name has been mentioned more than a few times. But now that they've seen what they might have in a Levis-Hopkins duo for the next few years, they might be hesitant to move him.
But, again, if the Chiefs really want to make this happen, I believe they could. Yes, that means taking on quite a bit of salary, as Hopkins is in the first year of the two-year/$26 million deal he signed ahead of this season.
But if they can get anything even close to the version of Hopkins we saw against Atlanta, it might just be worth the price they'd have to pay in a trade with Tennessee.
Kansas City was one of several teams to which Hopkins was connected this past offseason before signing with the Titans, so one has to believe there's still plenty of interest there.
Are the Chiefs willing to make such a big splash -- or any splash, for that matter -- at the deadline? We'll find out soon enough.
