NFL Free Agency: Geoff Schwartz To Sign With New York Giants
By Ben Nielsen
Dec 8, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz (74) prepares to block against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Chiefs just lost a valuable Twitter member.
Geoff Schwartz has reportedly signed a deal with the New York Giants, according to Kimberly Jones of the NFL Network. Here’s Twitter evidence.
Source familiar with negotiations: NYG & G Geoff Schwartz have agreed to terms. Expected to sign tomorrow. He can also play tackle.
— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) March 11, 2014
Schwartz was signed to a small, one-year deal last offseason and was meant to be the backup to guards Jeff Allen and Jon Asamoah while also providing depth at right tackle. Over time he proved to be a better fit for the zone blocking scheme the Chiefs implemented under Andy Reid and he took over the starting role from Asamoah.
Losing Schwartz hurts mostly because the Chiefs don’t have many options remaining at right guard on the roster. Kansas City already had built-in replacements for Branden Albert at left tackle but had nothing at guard. The good news here is it is easier to replace a right guard than it is to replace a left tackle. Remember, the Chiefs got Schwartz off the scrap heap last year for very little.
Ultimately, the Chiefs do not need a star at right guard, they need a good fit. Keeping Schwartz would have been great because he knows the system and we all know he is a fit for what the Chiefs do. Having an “unknown’ there is not appealing. However, it is better for the Chiefs to save the money they would have spent on Schwartz and use toward something better like extending Eric Berry or Justin Houston.
UPDATE:
Want to thank the entire @KCChiefs organization. First class all the way. Also the fans, you guys were supportive and fantastic. Enjoyed it
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) March 11, 2014