A new report sheds new light on what it might cost the Kansas City Chiefs to make a trade for one-time Pro Bowler Brian Thomas Jr., and it is a price they are probably unwilling to meet.
Following a frustrating 6-11 finish last season, the Chiefs are back to being the cream of the crop in the AFC after the first five weeks of the 2026 season. Heading into their game against the Los Angeles Chargers on the Week 6 NFL schedule, Kansas City is one of the last undefeated teams left in the league.
Their defense has been rock solid, and their run game — led by early MVP contender Kenneth Walker III — has been fantastic. However, they could use more weapons in their passing attack. Especially after Tyquan Thornton suffered a likely season-ending ankle injury in Week 4 and with Rashee Rice battling knee and hamstring issues.
For weeks, the team has been linked to several moves for a receiver. One player recently connected to the Chiefs was Marvin Harrison Jr. However, last week, the Arizona Cardinals shipped the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Houston Texans to reunite him with his QB at Ohio State, CJ Stroud.
With Harrison Jr. off the board, KC has also been connected to another junior in trade speculation, and that is the Jacksonville Jaguars. After looking like a new long-term star when he posted 87 catches, 1,282 yards, and made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, he has completely fallen out of favor with head coach Liam Coen over the last two years.
After five games, Thomas Jr. has just 9 catches for 105 yards. The Jags continue to suggest publicly that they have no interest in trading him. However, it seems like they are just holding on to him in case of injury. If the 4-1 team with one of the best defenses in the NFL can improve their roster for a title run, it would be silly not to start taking trade offers on the former LSU star.
Brian Thomas Jr. trade could cost the Kansas City Chiefs a first-round pick
So, if they did start taking calls and the Chiefs reached out, what might the price be? Well, according to The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones, “Harrison Jr. going for a 2027 second-round pick helps the Jaguars only if they do wind up dealing him.”
Thomas Jr. has had a far better three-year career than Harrison Jr. The Jaguars receiver has 36 more catches, 516 more yards, and the same number of receiving touchdowns as the player who went 19 spots ahead of him in the 2024 NFL Draft. It means he will come at a higher price, and that could be the Chiefs having to give up a first-round pick — which is something Arizona was reportedly looking for — or maybe two second-rounders.
If this were the Los Angeles Rams, that team might be willing to fork over such valuable picks because they are betting on Thomas Jr.’s potential to be a Pro Bowl-level player for years to come. However, the Chiefs have never been a franchise to risk valuable draft assets in trades. They actually move players for picks before they know they will lose them in free agency for nothing.
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