{"id":244276,"date":"2025-08-28T17:31:57","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T21:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=244276"},"modified":"2025-08-28T17:31:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T21:31:57","slug":"hicks-x-factor-reid-saints-rb-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/08\/28\/hicks-x-factor-reid-saints-rb-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"Super Bowl Champion\u2019s Replacement Called Chiefs\u2019 \u2018X Factor\u2019 Entering 2025 Season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Kansas City Chiefs parted ways with veteran safety <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2022\/03\/14\/justin-reid-signs-contract-with-kansas-city-chiefs\/\" target=\"_self\">Justin Reid<\/a> this offseason. The seven-year veteran and two-time Super Bowl champion signed with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/saints\/\" target=\"_self\">New Orleans Saints<\/a> in free agency. In his stead, 2024 fourth-round draft pick <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/04\/13\/jaden-hicks-2024-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Jaden Hicks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>ESPN\u2019s Benjamin Solak tabbed Hicks as the Chiefs\u2019 \u201cX factor,\u201d a list that could not include quarterbacks, rookies, or coaches.<\/p>\n<p>At any rate, Hicks has big shoes to fill.<\/p>\n<h2>Jaden Hicks Tabbed as Chiefs\u2019 \u2018X Factor\u2019 Entering 2025 Campaign<\/h2>\n<h3>Chiefs Need Jaden Hicks to Step Up This Season<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cThere are a few key names for the three-time AFC champs as their roster consistently churns, including left guard <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/03\/04\/kingsley-suamataia-2024-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Kingsley Suamataia<\/a> and corner <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/03\/15\/kansas-city-chiefs-spent-elijah-mitchell-jaylon-moore-kristian-fulton\/\" target=\"_self\">Kristian Fulton<\/a>. But I\u2019m focused on Hicks, a 2024 fourth-rounder tasked with stepping into Justin Reid&#8217;s vacated shoes,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46079293\/2025-nfl-season-x-factors-all-32-teams-key-players#LAR\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Solak wrote<\/a> on August 28.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cReid was the quarterback of that defense &#8212; versatile enough to play anywhere on the field, tight enough in man coverage to solve opposing tight ends and always good for a timely tackle in space on third down. He was a consistent mistake-eraser, and for as much as I like Hicks &#8212; who looked quick and smart as a rookie &#8212; it&#8217;s unlikely he brings that level of steady, heads-up production. Expect to see Hicks tested in coverage early, but it might be Reid&#8217;s reliable tackling against the run that is most missed early in the season.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hicks, 23, is not stepping into the starting lineup completely green, though.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jaden Hicks with the <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Chiefs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Chiefs<\/a> pick!<\/p>\n<p>Stream on <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFLPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NFLPlus<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1KJRExiDak\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/1KJRExiDak<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NFL (@NFL) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFL\/status\/1954337102671589379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Hicks was the No. 133 overall pick of his draft class. He logged one start while playing in all 17 games for the Chiefs as a rookie. He finished the regular season with 29 total tackles, 5 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions, showcasing his playmaking capability.<\/p>\n<h3>Jaden Hicks Could Be Replaced as Chiefs\u2019 \u2018X Factor\u2019<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_239852\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-239852\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-239852\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25275381-scaled-e1752607279248-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs\" width=\"640\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25275381-scaled-e1752607279248-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25275381-scaled-e1752607279248-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25275381-scaled-e1752607279248-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25275381-scaled-e1752607279248-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25275381-scaled-e1752607279248-2048x1154.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-239852\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hicks will be key to the Chiefs\u2019 success. However, the true \u201cX factor\u201d may not be on the roster just yet. ESPN\u2019s Dan Graziano advised, \u201cDon\u2019t be surprised\u201d if the Chiefs trade for an RB this season.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/01\/29\/isiah-pacheco-chiefs-running-back-dynasty-outlook\/\" target=\"_self\">Isiah Pacheco<\/a> is healthy and ready to resume the lead back role the team planned for him before his early-season broken right leg last year, but the room is thin behind him. Veteran <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/11\/21\/start-em-sit-em-week-12-chiefs-kareem-hunt-and-more\/\" target=\"_self\">Kareem Hunt<\/a> just turned 30, and the Chiefs might use rookie <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/03\/10\/2025-nfl-draft-profile-brashard-smith-smu\/\" target=\"_self\">Brashard Smith<\/a> in a more nontraditional role that takes advantage of his receiving skills,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46079215\/2025-nfl-surprise-predictions-32-teams-stat-leaders-breakouts-fantasy-football\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Graziano wrote<\/a> on August 27.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Chiefs could use a third-down back with some pass protection ability and will be looking at trade and waiver possibilities as rosters get tinkered with ahead of Week 1.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Chiefs re-signed former first-round draft pick <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/12\/19\/how-clyde-edwards-helaire-affects-kendre-miller-saints-backfield\/\" target=\"_self\">Clyde Edwards-Helaire<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>He was cut by the Saints. His return could signal that the team is comfortable with where they are. Hunt has produced when called upon. They also know they will go as far as <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/07\/28\/chiefs-mahomes-training-camp-gray-worthy\/\" target=\"_self\">Patrick Mahomes<\/a> takes them.<\/p>\n<p>It could become clear early on that Mahomes and the passing game are not clicking. That is particularly true with <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/08\/28\/fantasy-football-where-to-draft-rashee-rice-after-suspension-news\/\" target=\"_self\">Rashee Rice<\/a> suspended for six games. If so, acquiring backfield help could make sense.<\/p>\n<p>Then, the Chiefs could find themselves relying on other new contributors besides Hicks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Chiefs need him to step up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2879,"featured_media":244278,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[7811,32494,3788],"class_list":["post-244276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chiefs","tag-chiefs-featured","tag-jaden-hicks","tag-justin-reid"],"modified_by":"Josh Buckhalter","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244276","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2879"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=244276"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244276\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":244279,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244276\/revisions\/244279"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/244278"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=244276"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=244276"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=244276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}