The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense has struggled to create explosive plays, raising questions about whether Patrick Mahomes has enough help. After Seattle held Kansas City to just three points, former NFL head coach Jon Gruden pointed to Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. as a player to watch before the November 10 trade deadline.
On the October 29 episode of the *Gruden Family Football Show*, Gruden described Thomas as a major name to monitor on the trade market. His brother, Jay Gruden, then connected the receiver to Kansas City, arguing that the Chiefs could benefit from adding a player with Thomas’s downfield ability.
It is a suggestion rooted in the Chiefs’ recent offensive struggles. Kansas City needs a receiver who can make defenses account for the deep ball—and Thomas has shown he can provide that kind of threat.
## Why Jon Gruden Sees Thomas as a Potential Chiefs Trade Target
Jon Gruden pointed to Thomas’s impressive rookie season and questioned why Jacksonville had not featured him more prominently after adding Jakobi Meyers. He called Thomas a “major name to monitor ahead of the deadline.”
Jay Gruden took the discussion further by suggesting that Kansas City could be a logical destination. Against Seattle, the Chiefs did not record a passing play longer than 20 yards or a rushing play longer than 10. For a team led by Mahomes, the lack of explosive plays underscored how difficult it had become for the offense to consistently threaten defenses.
Thomas could change how opponents defend Kansas City. His speed gives him the potential to stretch the field, forcing safeties to respect the possibility of a deep route. That pressure could also create more space underneath for Travis Kelce and give Mahomes more favorable coverage looks.
A trade would not solve every problem. Kansas City’s offensive line has struggled, and another receiver cannot make much of a difference if Mahomes does not have enough time to throw. Still, protection issues are only part of the challenge. The Chiefs also need a receiver who can consistently make defenses defend the full length of the field.
## Thomas’s Production and Changing Role in Jacksonville
Thomas is 24 years old and had a standout rookie season in 2024, catching 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. His production has fallen sharply this season. Through six games, he has nine receptions for 105 yards and one touchdown.
That reduced role has prompted speculation about his future with the Jaguars. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has reported that league executives sense Thomas could be nearing the end of his time in Jacksonville, though the team has not committed to trading him.
For Kansas City, the potential appeal is clear. Tyquan Thornton’s injury has taken away a vertical option, while Rashee Rice’s availability has also been a concern. Mahomes remains capable of making difficult throws, but he needs receivers who can get open and give him opportunities to use his arm downfield.
Thomas has the physical tools to provide that kind of option. His speed and past production make him an intriguing target, although a trade would involve risk: the Chiefs would be betting that Andy Reid could help him recapture the form he showed as a rookie.
## The Potential Obstacles to a Trade
A deal is far from certain. Jacksonville is not required to trade Thomas and may be reluctant to help an AFC contender. He remains under team control beyond this season, giving the Jaguars the option to keep him or demand a substantial return.
Kansas City would also need to weigh the cost of acquiring him against the uncertainty surrounding his current production. His rookie season demonstrates his potential, but his limited numbers through six games raise questions about how quickly he could contribute in a new offense.
The Chiefs would not be looking for another receiver limited to short, complementary routes. Their need is for a player who could make defenses adjust their coverage and create more opportunities for Mahomes and the rest of the offense. Thomas fits that profile, but whether the Jaguars would entertain a deal remains unclear.
## Could Brian Thomas Jr. Help the Chiefs?
Jon Gruden identified Thomas as a notable name to watch, while Jay Gruden made the case for Kansas City as a potential landing spot. The football logic is understandable: the Chiefs need more downfield ability, and Thomas has shown he can produce as a big-play receiver.
Still, adding him would not repair Kansas City’s offensive line or guarantee a return to championship form. It would, however, give Mahomes a potential weapon capable of making defenses respect the deep pass—something the Chiefs have struggled to establish consistently.
Whether Jacksonville is willing to negotiate is the key question. For Kansas City, Thomas could offer a way to add a dimension the offense has been missing: a receiver opponents must account for beyond the short and intermediate areas of the field.
