The Kansas City Chiefs offense is in a rut. Patrick Mahomes looks more like a middling starter than the NFL’s reigning MVP, and the media is already questioning whether Andy Reid’s system has been figured out by defensive coordinators around the league.
After the trade deadline passed without a new addition to the Chiefs’ receiving corps, Kansas City’s options to rectify the void of talent at the position are severely limited.
While none of the players currently available have been standouts in recent seasons, there are some who have put together sneaky successful careers in the NFL despite their free-agent status.
Take a look at these six veteran options to see if the Chiefs should grease the wheels on its offense or be content to stand pat heading into the toughest part of their 2023 schedule:
T.Y. Hilton
Hilton may be over the hill, but was one of the best receivers in the NFL during his prime. He may have lost the speed that made him a legitimate deep threat, but his presence in Kansas City’s practices could make a huge difference for the team, even if he only serves as a mentor for players like Rashee Rice and Skyy Moore.
Sammy Watkins
Watkins would be a logical choice for general manager Brett Veach given the former Clemson Tiger’s familiarity with Andy Reid’s offense. Though he may have lost a step over the years, Watkins would give Mahomes a consistent target on the boundary who has the necessary experience to make an immediate impact on a team that needs a rotational pass catcher.
Marquez Callaway
Callaway is something of a wild card on this list but at just 25 years old, could give the Chiefs a more permanent solution to their depleted depth at the receiver position. His supremely productive 2021 season with the New Orleans Saints was followed up with a lackluster campaign last year, so his addition to Kansas City’s roster wouldn’t come with a hefty price tag.
Jarvis Landry
Landry was once one of the most prized receiving prospects in college football, and now 10 years into his NFL career finds himself without a job despite his success in limited action over the past few seasons. He last played for the New Orleans Saints in 2022 and managed to haul in 25 receptions for 272 yards and a touchdown in just three starts.
Kenny Golladay
A Northern Illinois product, Golladay was once a Pro Bowler with the Detroit Lions but saw his productivity tank during a two-year stint with the New York Giants. He could provide Patrick Mahomes with a big body to leverage in the red zone, where the Chiefs desperately need help.
Cole Beasley
Love him or hate him, Beasley has found success in the NFL as a steady presence that always seems to serve his quarterbacks well on Sundays. At 34 years old, his experience could make a difference for Kansas City’s receiving corps, which lacks a salty veteran to mentor their up-and-coming pass catchers.
