The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense has not been operating on all cylinders yet this season. There have been some moments where they look like their usual unstoppable selves, but those moments have been fleeting.
As things currently stand, the 2023 Chiefs are set to be the least productive offense in the Patrick Mahomes era and one of the least explosive since Andy Reid took over as head coach. Of course, a fringe-top-10 offense is something most franchises around the NFL would take, but we have become accustomed to seeing top-five units in Kansas City.
There are a few factors playing a part in the drop in production, such as the Chiefs leaning into their running game more. The lack of experience at the wide receiver position is also hurting as Mahomes lacks a to-go weapon on the perimeter.
His No. 1 target has been Travis Kelce, but he has shown signs of being human. Multiple lower-body injuries have already befallen him this season, and losing him for any amount of time would derail this team. Just look at Week 1 as a prime example where they lost to the Detroit Lions on opening night.
That is part of the reason Bill Barnwell of ESPN has suggested that the Chiefs make a trade to acquire tight end Zach Ertz from the Arizona Cardinals. Barnwell believes that a deal for Ertz can be completed if Kansas City sends a 2025 sixth-round pick to Arizona.
“Of course, the Chiefs don’t want to pay $6.3 million in prorated salary to bring on a backup plan at tight end, so the Cardinals would need to pay down virtually all of Ertz’s salary as a bonus to get this deal done. In the end, he would get a chance to go try to win one more Super Bowl, the Cardinals would save a small amount of money and get a draft pick, McBride would get a chance to play as the top tight end for Arizona and the Chiefs would land a pass-catcher who can mix into their rotation over the remainder of the season.”
The motivation for the Cardinals is easy to pinpoint. Getting any draft capital in a rebuild is always a good thing. Trading Ertz would also clear the way for Trey McBride to become the unquestioned No. 1 tight end in Arizona.
Without Tyreek Hill last season, Reid adjusted his offense to include multiple tight end sets more often. Ertz would certainly help in that regard as he would be more than an insurance policy for Kelce.
Yes, he is someone who would give Kansas City a little more confidence as a replacement for Kelce should he miss more time, but he can serve as a helpful piece even when Kelce is healthy.
