Chiefs’ Trade Deadline Inaction Risks Derailing Super Bowl Hopes
For years, the Kansas City Chiefs have been defined by boldness. General manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid built a dynasty on calculated risks, from blockbuster trades to shrewd midseason additions. However, at the 2025 NFL trade deadline, the Chiefs broke character. Instead of reinforcing a 5-4 roster for another Super Bowl run, they stood pat. That silence may prove to be their biggest mistake of the season.
While other contenders made moves to improve, Kansas City chose to rely on internal improvement and hope for good health. In a season marked by inconsistency, that decision feels less like a vote of confidence and more like an act of denial.
An Uneven Season Exposes Cracks
The first half of the 2025 season has been a rollercoaster for Kansas City. After a concerning 0-2 start, the team rallied to 5-3 before a disappointing Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills exposed glaring weaknesses. They currently sit third in the AFC West, a position that would see them miss the playoffs if the season ended today.
The defense has shown flashes of dominance, but it has struggled to stop the run and generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks outside of Chris Jones. On offense, the team has battled both injuries and inefficiency. Running back Isiah Pacheco’s MCL sprain has further limited their already challenged ground game, putting even more pressure on Patrick Mahomes, who is already nearing his career high for rushing yards with eight games left.
The front office knew the run game was a problem and tried to address it. However, their attempts fell short, leaving the team vulnerable.
A Failed Push for Two Key Players
The Chiefs’ most glaring misstep was failing to land New York Jets running back Breece Hall. According to a report from Nate Taylor, negotiations broke down over compensation. The Chiefs reportedly offered a 2026 fourth-round pick, but the Jets held firm for a third-round selection. For a running back on an expiring contract, a third-round pick is a steep price, but Hall could have been the true No. 1 option the Chiefs have desperately needed for years. With Pacheco sidelined, Hall would have been an immediate difference-maker, and the failure to secure him over a single draft round is puzzling.
The pursuit of reinforcements wasn’t limited to the offense. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Chiefs also made a late, intense push to acquire Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe. One source believed the deal was done, but Seattle ultimately decided to keep the fourth-year player. Adding an impact player like Mafe, who has 18 career sacks, could have provided much-needed support for a defensive front that relies heavily on Chris Jones.
A Risky Bet on the Current Roster
No deal is better than a bad deal, but it’s difficult to look at Kansas City’s roster and feel confident that standing pat was the right move. The offense has improved with the healthy returns of receivers Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice, but the team still lacks a dependable spark out of the backfield. The defensive line remains almost entirely dependent on Jones to generate pressure.
Ultimately, the Chiefs’ biggest mistake may have been their overconfidence in internal improvement. Veach and Reid appear to believe their existing roster has enough depth to weather injuries and inconsistency. But that optimism feels misplaced given the evidence of the first nine games. By bypassing veteran help, the front office sent a clear message: they are unwilling to deviate from their long-term plan, even if it jeopardizes their short-term championship aspirations.
Mahomes remains the league’s most transcendent quarterback, and Reid is one of football’s sharpest minds. But even legends need help. By doing nothing at the deadline, the Kansas City Chiefs may have done too little to right the ship, and that hesitation could prove costly.
