Entering last season, the Chiefs WR already brought many questions. Unfortunately, this season, nothing much seem to have changed. While Patrick Mahomes still played at an elite level, his options were reduced to push the ball downfield and help the offense reach its full potential. The biggest elephant in the room again? Health. Injuries took down key players in the WR room, forcing the offense to change their tactics.

First, it was Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. He is touted as one of the league’s most dangerous vertical options and his pairing with Mahomes is one of the strongest symbiotic relationships for Reid. But it all crashed down with Brown’s injury. Then, Rashee Rice got tangled during an INT and played only four games for KC. Their overall production? Comparing their 2023 and 2024 season stats – KC’s total yards per game dropped from 351 (8th in the NFL) to 327.7 (16th) and their passing yards per game fell from 261.4 (6th) to 222.4 (14th). 

But this season, Reid made sure his WR room had options. However, that in itself has become a problem. Rashee Rice is probably out for long (sentenced for 30 days with 5 years of probation in high-speed car crash in Dallas, potentially followed by a long suspension from the league). But there’s Hollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Nikko Remigio all contesting in the heavy battle. With multiple names ready to stand, comes the HC’s decision to send one back home. And according to Arrowhead Addict‘s Lyle Graversen, Reid might separate from a second-round WR.

In his latest 53-man roster projection, Graversen didn’t mince words. Talking about who might go out of the WR room, he wrote, “I wasn’t tempted to keep Skyy Moore at all. His days are numbered.” Despite being considered a good choice entering the 2024 season, he was limited by the injury.

He played only six games for zero catches on three targets before a core muscle injury ended his season early in 2024. Moore logged just 43 receptions for 494 yards and 1 TD across 36 career games. This being his fourth and final year with the team. it’s a do-or-die situation for Moore; that is, if he makes it to the final roster. Interestingly, some still back him up.

Former Chiefs tight end Jason Dunn echoed a mixed statement a few days back that, “Skyy is a second-round pick, so he’s going to get every opportunity. But just because you’re a second-round pick, you can still go to the back.” So, while he is on board cheering for Moore, he also claimed that they could cut the wideout as well.

However, the receiver has packed on some serious muscle and wants to start for the franchise. Their star QB, Patrick Mahomes, has already announced that they will be picking players based on the output they give. He said back in July, “His job is to come in here and compete.” But he also praised the 24-year-old as one of the hardest workers in the room.

In 2022, he was the future. In 2025, he might be forgotten. And that might force another Chiefs hero to step up. While some other factors may also play a huge role.

Andy Reid puts additional responsibility on Travis Kelce

Last year, the Chiefs and their veteran TE, Travis Kelce, failed to win the biggest game of their career. After Kelce took some time off and started mentioning his age and the injuries he’s suffered and how it all has affected his body, almost everyone thought he would pack up. But Andy Reid suggested he would use him in a limited role as soon as he revealed his wish to play more.

Now? The responsibility has doubled. The pivot point is Rashee Rice’s legal situation. He pleaded guilty to the Dallas crash. And almost everyone is predicting a suspension. That’s why they have taken a different course. The Mahomes-Kelce bailout blueprint may get used more in September than anyone planned.

On July 18’s NFL Live, Ryan Clark put it bluntly, “This team is still going 15–2 no matter who’s on the field… it revolves around Travis Kelce. It revolves around Patrick Mahomes.” That’s the math Andy Reid has always banked on: Mahomes plus Kelce equals answers.

In 2024, even while dealing with injuries and double teams, Kelce led the team in targets and posted 97 catches, 823 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Sure, that’s one of his lowest yardage total, but it came with more chip blocks, fewer downfield looks, and nearly every defense keying on him. And when it mattered, in January, he turned back into prime Travis. That stage still belongs to him.

In fact, over the last two regular seasons, Kelce has tallied 190 receptions, 1,807 yards, and 8 touchdowns. And that’s not counting the playoffs, where he remains the most productive tight end in league history. No one in NFL history has more postseason catches.

So yes, Andy Reid wanted to throttle Kelce down. Wanted to recalibrate the workload, dial up the rest. But this isn’t a load-managed NBA roster, it’s an NFL juggernaut trying to defend its throne in a league that doesn’t give you breathers. Because as long as Patrick Mahomes is out there spinning magic, Travis Kelce will be right behind him, turning broken plays into backbreaking moments for everyone else. As for the WR room, Reid is still in a pickle.