February 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers safety Logan Ryan (33) tackles Kansas during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58 at Allegiant Stadium City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Andy Reid declined to announce wide receiver Rashe Rice will miss the remainder of the season when he met with the media Monday afternoon.
Rice suffered a serious injury along with Patrick Mahomes and was carted off the field during the Kansas City Chiefs' 17-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Reid explained that his speedy, talented receiver still needs to undergo more testing, but reports suggest the Chiefs are concerned he tore his ACL in that collision.
The Chiefs won't lose Marquise Hollywood Brown (shoulder) until at least January. With Travis Kelce unable to find the end zone, the Chiefs are left with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman and St. Kay Moore. In the running game, they defeated Isaiah Pacheco (fibula) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (personal).
Somehow, Kansas City is 4-0. Despite that record, their offense doesn't seem to be up to their typically explosive standards. At some point, they may need to pick up the phone and call in some reinforcements to help Mahomes run the offense.
Here are some trade candidates the Chiefs could target, especially if Rice's knee injury is serious enough to replace him.
Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
December 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) receives a touchdown pass from Houston Texans safety Jalen Peet (5) during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Formation pass. Credits: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports Why not just run for the fence? You could argue that Cooper would immediately be the most qualified receiver to work with Mahomes.
For whatever reason, things didn't go well between Cooper and quarterback Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. He is 30 years old and has one year left on his contract.
The Browns are unlikely to purchase one of their only offensive weapons at the moment, but everything comes at a price. Correct?
Darius Slayton, New York Giants
Darius Slayton. Photo from IMAGN. Slayton's upside has been an untapped mystery during his time with the Giants. Maybe Mahomes can unlock that potential.
Although the Giants are playing 81 percent of their snaps this season, New York's offense still relies on rookie Malik Nabors. There is no doubt that he is the future of this room.
At just 27 years old, Slayton could play a longer-term role in Kansas City. He's also set to be a free agent after this season, so the Chiefs aren't marrying him, and it wouldn't cost much to pry him away from New York.
Odell Beckham Jr., Miami Dolphins
June 5, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) and head coach Mike McDaniel at Baptist Watch the game during a mandatory mini-camp at the Club Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Let's get a little crazy. Beckham has yet to play for the Miami Dolphins. It is reportedhe will start practicing soon.
Miami's future is generally unknown due to Tua Tagovailoa's health. Let's be honest, it's going to be hard for them to compete in the AFC this season, especially while waiting for Tagovailoa to return to football and needing quarterbacks Skylar Thompson and Tyler “Snoop” ·Huntley's help.
Beckham signed a one-year contract with Finland this offseason to compete for another Super Bowl. That may not happen in Miami this year. But, similar to Cooper's situation in Cleveland, they likely won't shop him.
But coming back from another injury? Beckham's net worth will not be too high. He caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns for the Ravens last season. That kind of productivity is exactly what the Chiefs lacked in Rice.