The Kansas City Chiefs may be 8-0, but it appears they finally took a loss on Tuesday.

Reports were swirling that the Chiefs and Washington Commanders were locked in a battle to trade for former New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore.

But the Commanders won the day, sending a third, fourth, and sixth-round pick to New Orleans for the four-time Pro Bowler and a fifth-round pick.

Lattimore would have been the perfect addition not only because he could have saved the Kansas City secondary this season, but his contract runs for the next two years as well.

But while the Chiefs’ time has passed to add any help via trade, they could look to free agency for a long-term solution.

Free-agent-to-be Byron Murphy of the Minnesota Vikings may be a logical target for Kansas City to begin scouting. Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department recently predicted that Murphy would sign with the Chiefs this spring in free agency.

“This team misses L’Jarius Sneed, and they haven’t had other young corners step into the void. If the Chiefs are going to spend real money in free agency, then a cornerback is one of the things they might want to spend it on,” the authors said.

“Byron Murphy should be at the top of their list. He’s proving he can excel in an aggressive scheme that asks him to play press coverage. That would make him a good fit for Steve Spagnuolo as they look to remain one of the best defenses in the league.”

Murphy, 26, looks like a breakout star after his first four seasons in the NFL were somewhat average.

He has six interceptions, 20 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in his 22 games as a Viking, and he’s likely to secure a solid contract, perhaps eclipsing $10 million per season.

The Chiefs would be wise to invest in Murphy, as defense is becoming a bigger part of Kansas City’s identity year after year.

Locking down the secondary would be a great way to ensure the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC keeps going through Arrowhead Stadium.