With the trade deadline knocking on the door, the Kansas City Chiefs have their work cut out for them as they try to fix a wide receiver group that has contributed to back-to-back losses after a 5-0 start to the season.

Several notable receivers have already been linked to the team as potential solutions, and now, Tyrann Mathieu has a suggestion of his own. The former Chiefs safety recently stressed the need for the team to bring some “swagger” to its receiver room, and he believes Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens could be the answer.

Tyrann Mathieu Links George Pickens to the Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes hasn’t had much to work with in the passing game this season, and the numbers back that up. The situation has become so concerning that the Chiefs’ running backs and tight ends have outgained their wide receivers.

Through the first eight weeks, Kansas City’s running backs and tight ends have combined for 970 receiving yards on 82 catches, while the wide receivers have managed just 825 yards on 72 catches.

With Pickens playing under the franchise tag and no new contract in place, the Chiefs could look to take advantage of the situation and bring him to Kansas City. Speaking on the “In The Bayou” podcast, Mathieu explained why he believes Pickens would be a good fit for the Chiefs.

“If I were the Chiefs, I would want to go get somebody like George Pickens,” Mathieu began. “I need somebody with that kind of catch radius, and then, like, those 50-50 balls, like, them one-on-one chances… We don’t see Mahomes take a lot of those throws because he doesn’t have nobody to throw it to.”

Mathieu believes Pickens could give the Chiefs the kind of downfield threat they have been missing since Tyreek Hill left.

“If [Mahomes] got somebody that could win those plays 40-50 yards down the field, that instantly makes him rise. Now you know from a statistical perspective, they need some swagger. Since Tyreek Hill left, they don’t really have swagger… They don’t have an identity,” he added.

Through the first eight weeks, Pickens has recorded 39 receptions for 533 yards and two touchdowns with the Cowboys. He also put together an impressive 2025 season, finishing with 93 catches for 1,429 yards. He currently ranks No. 19 in PFN WR Impact Score with a grade of 79.8.

Adding a player of Pickens’ caliber could give the Chiefs a much-needed boost as they try to turn things around. Mahomes is already dealing with a depleted receiving corps, with Tyquan Thornton on injured reserve after undergoing surgery for a dislocated ankle.

Rice returned against the Denver Broncos after missing two games and has caught seven passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Xavier Worthy has also had an up-and-down season. Through seven games, he has recorded 27 receptions for 230 yards and one touchdown.

The Chiefs will next face the New York Jets in Week 9. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.