The 2025 NFL trade deadline goes into effect today, Nov. 4, at 4:00 p.m. ET. Leading up to the cutoff, teams across the league are making calls to strengthen their rosters or acquire draft picks before the second half of the season.
One potential buyer is the 5-4 Kansas City Chiefs, who could use upgrades at multiple positions. An NFL insider shared insight on how the Chiefs might look to improve ahead of the deadline.
How Are the Chiefs Looking to Upgrade Their Roster Before the Trade Deadline?
While the Chiefs’ 5-4 record doesn’t fully reflect it, Kansas City grades well on both sides of the ball, with the offense ranking third in the NFL according to PFSN’s OFFi metric and the defense ranking ninth in the league in PFSN’s DEFi metric.
Still, there are a few positions where the team could use upgrades to strengthen its roster as it prepares for a playoff push. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones believes Kansas City could target a running back and a defensive lineman at the trade deadline.
Regarding a running back, Jones explained that while the Chiefs are likely content with their backfield once Isiah Pacheco returns from injury, it’s still a position Kansas City could target in a trade.
“I think Kansas City could go after a running back if one falls into the Chiefs’ laps, but they are bullish on Isiah Pacheco’s imminent return,” Jones wrote.
Adding a running back at the deadline would make a lot of sense for Kansas City. While they have Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, neither one has been spectacular, with Pacheco ranking 33rd among backs in the NFL this season, according to PFSN’s RBi metric, and Hunt ranking 16th.
As Jones notes, if the right running back becomes available, the Chiefs would likely be willing to make a deal to add some juice to their backfield.
Regarding a defensive lineman, Jones explained that while the Chiefs just signed veteran defensive tackle Mike Pennell, they could still be looking to add more talent along the defensive front before the trade deadline.
MORE: 2025 NFL Trade Deadline Tracker
“Mike Pennel’s return (again) to Kansas City does not preclude the team from looking at more defensive line help, though,” Jones wrote.
Again, Jones makes a strong point. Outside of George Karlaftis and Chris Jones, not a single Chiefs’ defensive lineman ranks in the top 80 in the NFL according to PFSN’s EDGEi metric and PFSN’s DTi metric.
While Kansas City likely won’t make a blockbuster move for a defensive lineman, they could target a player who provides an immediate upgrade to the unit. Even if the Chiefs stay quiet at the deadline, Jones believes they’ll still look to improve the roster through free agency.
“If the Chiefs don’t trade for someone Tuesday afternoon, I could still see them looking to acquire a free agent at some point in the coming weeks,” Jones wrote.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Chiefs end up making any moves, but they sound like a team that could be very active as the deadline approaches.