The Kansas City Chiefs are exploring wide receiver options before the November 10 trade deadline, with Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. as a player of interest for them.

Kansas City general manager Brett Veach has been making calls around the league as the front office looks to fix depth concerns for Patrick Mahomes’ receiving corps, following Tyquan Thornton’s injury, while third-year wide receiver Xavier Worthy continues to develop his connection with Mahomes.

Chiefs Interested as Jaguars Remain Reluctant to Trade Brian Thomas Jr.

According to an ESPN report, the Chiefs have remained intrigued by Thomas despite Jacksonville receiving multiple inquiries about the receiver and resisting previous trade offers.

Thomas played 19 snaps in the Jaguars’ Thursday night 33-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens and did not record a reception. His limited involvement has led to questions about his role in Jacksonville, but it has not necessarily made the team any more willing to trade him.

Acquiring Thomas could be difficult for the Chiefs, as Jacksonville seemingly views the former first-round pick as an important part of its offense.

Thomas came out as the league’s promising young receiver in 2024, recording 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. His rookie performance earned him Pro Bowl recognition and a grade of 84.5 on PFN’s NFL WR Impact metric, ranking sixth.

Through Jacksonville’s first eight games of the 2026 season, Thomas has recorded 10 receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns on 22 targets. His playing time has seen a dip, with Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers taking on larger roles in the receiving rotation.

According to Albert Breer, Jacksonville values what Thomas brings beyond the box score. His ability to stretch the field vertically can keep defenses honest against the run and open opportunities underneath for other receivers.

The Jaguars may also be reluctant to send a young playmaker to an AFC contender such as Kansas City, where he could become a big factor in the postseason.

Thomas’ contract adds to his appeal as a potential trade target. He signed a four-year, $14.7 million fully guaranteed rookie deal in 2024, with reported salary-cap hits of $4 million in 2026 and $4.66 million in 2027.

If Jacksonville maintains its stance, Kansas City could turn its attention to other available receivers. Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is among the potential alternatives, as the Colts are reportedly weighing trade options for Downs, who requested a trade in late October.

Downs could provide Mahomes with another dependable option underneath. His route-running and ability to create separation would give the Chiefs another target on third downs.

Tennessee Titans receiver Calvin Ridley and Cleveland Browns wideout Jerry Jeudy are also potential options. Both would bring experience to Kansas City’s receiving group, which is dealing with depth concerns.