As the Kansas City Chiefs shop the trade market for a wide receiver, new updates aren’t good news for their chances of completing a Brian Thomas Jr. or Josh Downs trade. However, a new and better option could emerge after Week 9.

Two weeks ago, the Chiefs were the cream of the AFC crop. They owned a 4-0 record and led the AFC West. Kansas City looked to be back in title contender form after a 6-10 finish last year. However, their previous two games have cast doubt on whether they can reach the Super Bowl in February.

In their losses to the Seattle Seahawks (Week 7) and the Denver Broncos (Week 8), the weakness of their offense was exposed. The Seahawks and Broncos keeping Kenneth Walker III in check put a bigger spotlight on the Chiefs’ need to make an impact addition to their passing game.

This is why they have been linked to potential trades for Thomas Jr. and Downs over the last couple of weeks. Yet, deals for either may be difficult to make before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Jacksonville Jaguars unlikely to trade Brian Thomas to an AFC contender

According to Tom Pelissero, while many around the NFL still believe the Jacksonville Jaguars will move the receiver, he notes that they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender “that needs players now, not draft picks for the future.” Furthermore, he adds that the Jaguars are “reluctant to deal a former first-round pick to one of their potential playoff foes.” The Chiefs could very much be one of those.

When it comes to Downs, the NFL insider reports “the Indianapolis Colts aren’t eager to trade him” because of their lackluster receiver room heading into the final weeks of the season. They allegedly “have an offer of a fourth-round pick and an additional pick on the table,” but he suggests it “might take a third-round pick for them to make a move.”

The Chiefs aren’t really a team that gives up Day 1 or 2 draft picks for in-season trades. A third will probably be too high a price for a slot receiver with no Pro Bowls on his resume.

Could the Kansas City Chiefs make a trade for George Pickens?

While the chances of the Chiefs making a trade for Thomas Jr. or Downs aren’t looking great, there may be an interesting alternative option worth giving up a Day 2 pick for. There has been recent speculation that the Dallas Cowboys might consider moving George Pickens if their season continues to head south. Well, Pelissero fanned the flames of that possibility on Saturday.

“A loss to Indianapolis could cause Dallas to recalibrate its plans across the board,” he wrote. “He’s due $13.649 million for the final nine weeks of the season, which means executing a trade would likely require the teams to be creative financially.

While it may be a long shot, Pickens would be a huge addition for the second half. The one-time Pro Bowler would bring the reliable big-play threat the Chiefs have not had since the days of Tyreek Hill.