Mahomes calm despite lack of WR trade: 'Extreme confidence' in teammates
Two of the NFL's star wide receivers were traded this week, but the wideout-needy Kansas City Chiefs weren't involved in either deal.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes remains confident in his current weapons, though.
"I have extreme confidence with the guys that are on that football field," Mahomes said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Teicher. "They've won games, they've won Super Bowls, they've made plays in big moments, and (general manager) Brett Veach has done a great job of bringing players in that can step up whenever their number is called."
Two AFC teams with Super Bowl aspirations - the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills - landed high-profile receivers Tuesday. The Jets acquired Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders, while the Bills added Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns.
The Chiefs are without injured wideouts Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown long term. Rice is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign after recently undergoing knee surgery. Brown, who signed with KC during the winter, hurt his shoulder in preseason and will miss at least the entire regular season.
Left in Kansas City's offense are wideouts Xavier Worthy and JuJu Smith-Schuster, as well as tight ends Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, among others. Kelce has recorded 24 receptions (tied for the team high) but has yet to score a touchdown in 2024.
The Chiefs haven't been aggressive on the market because Reid values pass-catchers who've played in his system or know it well, according to Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN. Kansas City was reportedly interested in signing DeAndre Hopkins in 2023, but the 1-4 Tennessee Titans aren't eager to trade the veteran at the moment.
"Every time I step on that football field, I feel like we have the best ability to win, and I think that's a credit to Brett Veach and coach (Andy) Reid bringing in guys that really get after it and put in the work to be great every single day," Mahomes added.
The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 5.
The 5-0 Chiefs are coming off a bye and visit the 3-3 San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.