KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- What started as intriguing watercooler speculation should grow into a much hotter conversation. That is the ultimate takeaway in the Kansas City Chiefs' 24-7 win over the Oakland Raiders. Yes, the Chiefs improved to 6-0. Yes, they found another way to grind out a victory in a resourceful manner. But Sunday's win also revealed something else about this team: The Chiefs need to make a deal to bring tight end Tony Gonzalez back home.

This discussion started last week, as their offense was taking more criticism for its lack of weapons in the passing game and the Atlanta Falcons -- Gonzalez's current team -- continued their improbable implosion. The deal made sense for all the right reasons, too. Gonzalez was named to 10 Pro Bowls during his 12 seasons with the Chiefs, and he's openly said this would be his final year in the NFL. Kansas City traded him to Atlanta in 2009 so he could have a decent shot at a Super Bowl, but it's now obvious that dream won't work out as Gonzalez had hoped.

Andy Reid and Alex Smith could benefit greatly from the mismatches that Tony Gonzalez is able to create. AP Photo/Ed Zurga

If that was the conversation a week ago, imagine what it should be today. The Chiefs beat Oakland despite compiling just 105 passing yards. Their best wide receiver, Dwayne Bowe, has only 20 receptions this season for 229 yards, largely because of the extra attention he faces from opposing defenses every week. It's time for the Chiefs to look in the mirror and face facts. They aren't going to fix their biggest offensive problem with the people they currently have in their locker room.

After Sunday's game, Bowe acknowledged that he would love to see the trade happen. "It would definitely be a great thing," said Bowe, who had three receptions for 46 yards against the Raiders. "He would fit right into this system. It's a pass-happy offense that loves to get the ball to the tight end, and he's a phenomenal athlete. If they did [the deal], it would take us to another level."

More importantly, the Chiefs have to take this opportunity to elevate their offense. Along with their struggles to get Bowe going, they've taken massive hits at the tight end position. They placed rookie Travis Kelce on injured reserve last week. An ankle injury has sidelined Anthony Fasano since a Week 2 win over the Dallas Cowboys. As much as Chiefs fans appreciate the contributions of current starter Sean McGrath, he's playing only because everybody ahead of him on the depth chart is hurt. The Chiefs picked him up off waivers on Sept. 1.