The Kansas City Chiefs have made headlines for their impressive roster, but one glaring area of concern has emerged: the offensive line. As the Chiefs gear up for the offseason, it’s clear that the left tackle position stands out as the most pressing need.
With Joe Thuney, who temporarily filled the left tackle spot last season due to underwhelming performances from Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia, now heading to the Chicago Bears, the Chiefs find themselves in a critical position. They’re faced with the task of figuring out how to bolster both the left tackle and guard positions. Fortunately, they have a couple of avenues to explore, whether it be through free agency with a notable player like Ronnie Stanley or in the draft with prospects like Josh Conerly Jr.
Insight from NFL.com underscores the urgency of fortifying the left side of the line, while also pointing out that right tackle could use some upgrading. “Kansas City could stand to upgrade both offensive tackle spots coming off a Super Bowl defeat,” they noted. The Chiefs faced difficulties last season, with four different players logging 75-plus snaps at left tackle, a reflection of their ongoing struggles in that position.
In fact, the stats show just how challenging it was for Kansas City. The left tackles on the team allowed the fifth-highest pressure rate at 12.4% during the regular season. On the right side, Jawaan Taylor didn’t fare much better, allowing a pressure rate of 8.3% that didn’t quite justify the hefty contract he signed in the 2023 offseason. However, the Chiefs do have some assurance on the interior of the line, as tagging Trey Smith has solidified that spot as one of the league’s best.
This leaves the Chiefs with three of the five offensive line positions to address. Taylor’s contract—coming in at $19.5 million, per Spotrac.com—likely keeps him in Kansas City for at least another year, which shifts the focus squarely onto the left side as a priority for improvement.
After their Super Bowl loss, Kansas City inadvertently provided a blueprint for opposing teams hoping to stifle their explosive offense. Scouts across the league are undoubtedly keying in on that, ramping up their pursuit of robust pass rushers. This makes the left tackle position an absolute necessity for general manager Brett Veach to tackle this offseason.
As we all know, Patrick Mahomes is a unique talent on the field—a true unicorn. But even he can’t work his magic if he’s constantly being pressured into the turf. The Chiefs face a pivotal offseason ahead, and addressing the offensive line has to be at the forefront of their plans if they hope to reclaim their status as Super Bowl contenders.
