The AFC West had some shakeups surrounding the NFL trade deadline this week.
Las Vegas traded away their starting quarterback, Kansas City traded for a new receiver, while LA and Denver traded with one another and then canceled the move.
How does this NFL trade deadline affect the teams?
NFL Trade Deadline: How AFC West teams changed
All four AFC West teams made a trade at the deadline; but only two of the moves went through.
Let’s explore how those trades upgraded or downgraded each team. And what it means going forward as the Broncos and Chiefs fight for the AFC West title.
Las Vegas Raiders trade Kirk Cousins
Cousins was balling out in Vegas.
He was top-5 in yards, touchdowns, first downs, and success rate.
And yet, after starting 3-0 the Raiders have lost 5-of-6 games and now have a 0.3% chance of winning the AFC West.
Vegas drafted Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall back in April, so we all knew his time was coming soon. And with Cousins’ former team the Vikings desperately needing help at quarterback, the move made sense for all parties involved.
Minnesota sent a 2027 3rd-round pick to Las Vegas for Cousins, a quarterback who played with the Vikings from 2018-2023. That included time under current head coach Kevin O’Connell.
That certainly helps Minnesota, who has an elite defense. They put it on display against the Bills on Monday night until the offense couldn’t stay on the field and the D got tired. With Cousins, they can make a run at a Super Bowl.
For the Raiders, it changes things in a huge way because the untested rookie is now playing.
That’s good news for the Broncos who have yet to play the floundering Raiders this year. Denver’s currently on the bye, and they’ll play against Mendoza and Las Vegas next weekend in Denver. Plus, Mendoza faces the Seattle Seahawks defense in his first start this week.
Welcome to the NFL, rookie.
Kansas City Chiefs trade for Josh Downs
KC’s been without receivers for most of this season.
Tyquan Thornton was their big-play guy but he dislocated his ankle on Oct. 13 and hasn’t returned. Meanwhile, Rashee Rice has played in only six games with 292 yards and 2 touchdowns. So Xavier Worthy has taken the No. 1 role and his numbers are middling as well: 278 yards, 1 touchdown.
They had to go get a receiver and they did in Josh Downs from the Colts.
The Chiefs sent the Colts a 4th and 5th-round pick from the upcoming 2027 draft for Downs and a 7th-round pick.
Downs isn’t a game-breaker, but he is a solid slot receiver who adds another weapon to Patrick Mahomes arsenal. And if they get Thornton back very late in the season, they’ll have a versatile receiving corps with the addition of Downs.
He had 33 receptions for 354 yards and 1 score for the Colts through nine games. That includes 12 10-plus yard plays and 5 20-plus yard catches.
The Chiefs are trying to make a run at the AFC West title and still have a 41% chance of winning the West per RBSDM.com.
It was a solid trade for Kansas City and makes them more dangerous going forward. However, Mahomes is playing some of the worst football of his career and has been knocked down 37 times, which is fourth-most in the NFL this year. His line needs to block better for him if he’s going to have deeper passes; his 3.3 air yards per attempt are among the fewest in the league.
Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers trade, then cancel
The Broncos traded the Chargers for linebacker Daiyan Henley, and then Denver canceled after performing a physical and finding arthritis in his knee.
Jim Harbaugh is crying foul over the move. But Denver reached out to the NFL after the physical and the league agreed they could change their compensation for the deal.
The Broncos were going to send a 4th and 5th-round pick — one from 2027, one from 2028 — in exchange for Henley. After the physical they asked to lessen their compensation for him, the Chargers said no, so the Broncos canceled the trade.
Denver fans wanted the team to trade for a running back or a tight end, and while they did send some feelers out for those positions of need, they ended up trying to bolster their linebacker depth.
Now, they got nothing but they were already happy standing pat and competing for a Super Bowl.
The Broncos have a 58% chance of winning the AFC West for a second straight year. Plus, they still have an 18% chance of taking home the No. 1 seed.
Especially with a weak schedule upcoming.
And Denver is about to get a ton of players back from injury.
Talanoa Hufanga, Jaylen Waddle, and Riley Moss should return in Week 11 after this bye week. Then, Tyler Badie and RJ Harvey can return in Weeks 12 and 13 respectively if they’re good to go.
While the Broncos (7-2) are on the bye, Kansas City (6-2) heads to Atlanta (3-6) Sunday morning. The Raiders (4-5) host the Seahawks (5-4) in the afternoon window. And the Chargers (0-8) head to Baltimore (4-5) on Monday Night Football to try and get their first win of the year.
NFL Trade Deadline: How AFC West teams changed this week and how it affects division Mile High Sports.
Hence then, the article about nfl trade deadline how afc west teams changed this week and how it affects division was published today ( ) and is available on Mile High Sports ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( NFL Trade Deadline: How AFC West teams changed this week and how it affects division )
Also on site :