The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off a disappointing Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, are poised to make a bold move in the 2025 offseason to reclaim their dominance in the NFL. With quarterback Patrick Mahomes still at the helm and a roster brimming with potential, the Chiefs are reportedly considering a blockbuster trade to bolster their receiving corps and address critical needs exposed during the 2024 season. One name has emerged as a prime target: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave. This potential acquisition could send shockwaves through the league, reshaping the Chiefs’ offense and reasserting their status as Super Bowl contenders.
Why Chris Olave?
Chris Olave, a standout wide receiver from Ohio State, has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier young talents since being drafted by the Saints in 2022. Despite inconsistent quarterback play in New Orleans, Olave has consistently delivered, amassing impressive numbers with 37 receptions for 824 yards and seven touchdowns in the 2024 season alone. His ability to stretch the field, combined with his precise route-running and reliable hands, makes him an ideal fit for Andy Reid’s dynamic offensive system. With injuries to key Chiefs playmakers like Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Rashee Rice, and running back Isiah Pacheco in 2024, Mahomes was often left without a consistent deep threat. Olave’s addition would provide the two-time MVP with a proven, high-upside weapon to elevate the passing game.
The Chiefs’ current receiving corps, while talented, is a mix of inconsistent and unproven players. Rashee Rice’s ACL injury in Week 4 of the 2024 season left a void, and while Xavier Worthy and rookie Jalen Royals show promise, neither has the polished skill set of Olave. Veteran tight end Travis Kelce, though still effective, is showing signs of decline, and JuJu Smith-Schuster’s role is limited to slot work. Acquiring Olave would give Mahomes a true No. 1 receiver capable of commanding defensive attention and creating opportunities for others.
The Trade Proposal
A potential trade for Olave would likely require the Chiefs to part with significant assets, given his youth (25 years old) and production. The Saints, now in a rebuilding phase following the retirement of quarterback Derek Carr and with a quarterback room featuring unproven players like Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and rookie Tyler Shough, may be open to moving Olave for draft capital to address multiple roster holes. A proposed deal could see the Chiefs offering their 2025 first-round pick (No. 31 overall) and a 2026 second-round pick to secure Olave’s services. Alternatively, the Chiefs could sweeten the deal by including a player like cornerback Jaylen Watson, who has been floated as a trade candidate due to the team’s depth at the position and upcoming financial commitments to All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie.
The Chiefs have a history of aggressive draft-day trades, as evidenced by their move to select Patrick Mahomes in 2017 and Xavier Worthy in 2024. General manager Brett Veach has shown a willingness to part with draft picks to acquire players who fit the team’s immediate needs, and Olave’s skill set aligns perfectly with the Chiefs’ goal of revitalizing their offense.
Why This Trade Would Shake Up the NFL
The acquisition of Chris Olave would have far-reaching implications for the NFL landscape. For the Chiefs, it would signal an all-in approach to maximize Mahomes’ prime years and reestablish Kansas City as the team to beat in the AFC. A receiving corps featuring Olave, Worthy, and a healthy Rice, combined with a rebuilt offensive line that includes first-round pick Josh Simmons, could make the Chiefs’ offense nearly unstoppable. The addition of veteran running back Elijah Mitchell and rookie Brashard Smith to complement Isiah Pacheco in the backfield further enhances the team’s versatility.
For the rest of the league, this trade would raise the stakes in an already competitive AFC. Teams like the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals, who are set to face the Chiefs in 2025, would need to adjust their defensive strategies to account for Olave’s speed and playmaking ability. The move could also trigger a domino effect, prompting other contenders to pursue high-profile trades to keep pace. The Saints, meanwhile, would gain valuable draft capital to accelerate their rebuild, potentially targeting a franchise quarterback in the 2026 draft.
Challenges and Considerations
While the trade makes sense on paper, there are hurdles to overcome. The Saints highly value Olave and may be reluctant to part with him unless the offer is overwhelming. Additionally, the Chiefs’ salary cap situation, already strained by Mahomes’ massive contract and upcoming extensions for players like Trent McDuffie and Leo Chenal, could complicate absorbing Olave’s deal. Restructuring contracts or moving on from veterans like Marquise Brown, who is on a one-year deal and faces competition from rookie Jalen Royals, could free up the necessary space.
Moreover, the Chiefs must weigh the cost of trading away draft capital. With a challenging 2025 schedule that includes matchups against top offenses like the Eagles, Lions, and Ravens, Kansas City will need depth across the roster. Trading a first-round pick could limit their ability to address other needs, such as the safety position following Justin Reid’s departure to New Orleans. However, Veach’s track record of finding value in later rounds and undrafted free agents, like linebacker Brandon George, suggests the Chiefs could still build a competitive roster.
A Dynasty Reloaded
The Kansas City Chiefs have built a dynasty on bold moves, from drafting Mahomes to trading up for Worthy. Acquiring Chris Olave would be another statement that Kansas City is not content to rest on past successes. After a humbling Super Bowl loss, the Chiefs are motivated to reclaim their throne, and Olave’s addition could be the spark that ignites another championship run. If this trade comes to fruition, it would not only reshape the Chiefs’ roster but also send a clear message to the NFL: Kansas City is back, and they’re coming for the Lombardi Trophy.
