Chris Jones workload could spark unexpected Chiefs trade at deadline

Brett Veach may have found the answer, but it looks like it’s not ready yet. Perhaps this will force the Kansas City Chiefs general manager to seek interim help before the NFL trade deadline.

The Chiefs made a significant investment in defensive tackle this offseason, at least in the long term, when they selected Omarr Norman-Lott in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The pick was a much-needed addition to a thin defensive interior for KC, which is on a steep decline after superstar Chris Jones in the middle.

But Veach didn’t really take care of the core of the line other than that one move, and Norman-Lott wasn’t really a well-tested option going into the NFL. And the Chiefs are treating him like he’s not quite ready to take on a heavy load in terms of six games into his rookie season. That could lead Veach to seek veteran help.

Pro Football Focus put together a list of 20 potential candidates before the deadline, which is Nov. 4, and the Chiefs are connected to several. One in particular is the most intriguing: Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell.

The Chiefs have every reason to participate in a potential Calais Campbell deal, if the Cardinals sell.

That Campbell is capable of even making an NFL roster at the age of 39 is pretty incredible. However, even after 267 games played, the Ironman lineman remains a valuable asset up front, a proven player who may have surpassed his Pro Bowl days, but he continues to disrupt the passing game while strengthening a team’s run defense.

This year, Campbell started all six games for Arizona and had 10 pressures, 3 sacks and 15 combined tackles. He’s in his first season with the Cardinals after signing a one-year, $6 million cap hit deal, making the financial part of any deal an easy call for an acquiring team (like the Chiefs).

Beyond Jones, the Chiefs have a major need for additional help upfront for a unit that ranks fourth in the NFL in EPA/rush allowed at 0.7 (behind the Ravens, Bills and Dolphins). Jerry Tillery is an option, as is Derrick Nnadi, who the Chiefs traded for in a preseason deal, but there’s certainly room for an overall upgrade — and Veach admitted as much during the regular season.

Norman-Lott receives only 20 percent of the snaps starting in Week 6, while forcing Jones to play 80 percent or more, too heavy a workload that is not a smart long-term play given the dependence and financial commitment to Jones through 2028.

The Cards are 2-4 and sit in the divisional basement of the NFC West behind the LA Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, each with a 4-2 record. It’s not that far away, but if the Cards lose to the Packers, as they should, on Sunday, they will enter the bye week with a 2-5 record and major questions to consider in the second half of the season.

If they choose to divest short-term assets for long-term gain, it makes sense to believe the Chiefs would be interested in an acquisition like Campbell. The same would be true for other teams, given his versatility, experience and impact on offense. What Veach might be willing to offer is a different story, but it’s safe to say he would at least be open to discussion.