The Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2025 season intent on reinvigorating their downfield passing attack. A team once known for its big-play capabilities had lost that part of its identity. The bomb, the streak to take the top off the defense, and the ability to stretch coverage were all absent in 2024.
Even so, the Chiefs won 15 games and reached the Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes and company almost willed themselves there. The offense was mid-tier, ranking 15th in points scored and 16th in total yards, outgaining opponents by just 119 yards.
This season was supposed to be the Chiefs’ restoration through the air. Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and a rejuvenated Travis Kelce were expected to catalyze a rebirth of the deep passing game. But life had other plans for them.
What’s Gone Wrong With the Chiefs’ Passing Game?
Things haven’t worked out in the early going. Rice was involved in a reckless street-racing accident in Dallas that resulted in five years’ probation, 30 days in jail, and a six-game suspension without pay from the NFL to start the season.
Chiefs’ receiving corps took another blow when Worthy dislocated his shoulder in the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil. He has been practicing with the team leading into Week 2, but his availability is uncertain.
Dashcam footage of the car accident that Rashee Rice was reportedly involved in: pic.twitter.com/w6z5QFFB1e
— JPA (@jasrifootball) March 31, 2024
Travis Kelce appears back in form. Still, beyond Brown — who was targeted 16 times — the rest of the receiving corps left the Chiefs right back where they were in 2024: relying on deception and short-to-intermediate-range passes to generate offense against the Chargers.
Can a Trade Be the Solution for the Chiefs’ Passing Game?
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox thinks the easiest solution is to reach into the past and trade for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. At the end of last season, Hill made it clear he wasn’t happy in Miami’s offense, and he was seen expressing frustration with his role during the Dolphins’ Week 1 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Seeing Tyreek Hill throw a tantrum like a toddler on the sideline brings me joy.
— Fantasy Football Forge (@FF_Forge) September 7, 2025
Miami gave up five draft picks to the Chiefs, including a first-rounder, for Hill in 2022. They would likely receive something on the order of a third-rounder should they be willing to move him, factoring in the team’s performance and the negative publicity surrounding accusations that he assaulted his estranged wife.
If the Chiefs lose to the Eagles, Kansas City should bring back Tyreek Hill
Well, that’s if they want to try to get back to the playoffs pic.twitter.com/1D7fTgA8S9
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) September 11, 2025
It’s a no-brainer for the Chiefs as long as they are willing to handle the public relations fallout. Hill, for his part, would immediately give them a dynamic, lightning-fast receiver whom Andy Reid could deploy to split zones and break man coverages.
But would the Chiefs pull the trigger for the 82-touchdown star?
