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Kansas City Chiefs: How offensive contracts will affect roster battles

By Lyle Graversen

SAINT JOSEPH, MO - JULY 31: The team runs drills during Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp on July 31, 2011 in Saint Joseph, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
SAINT JOSEPH, MO - JULY 31: The team runs drills during Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp on July 31, 2011 in Saint Joseph, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 16: Right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 16: Right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif /

Offensive Line

While there is some intrigue in terms of who will for sure fill what role, I think most people could identify the eight offensive linemen that are going to make the roster right now. Then there are seven other guys that are going to have to prove that they are clearly better than one of those eight to earn a spot. Here are how the numbers look.

Eric Fisher

Age: 27
Last year under contract: 2021
Post June 1? $1.3M cap HIT if cut

Mitchell Schwartz

Age: 28
Last year under contract: 2020
Post June 1? $4M saved

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

Age: 27
Last year under contract: 2022
Post June 1? $2.2M cap HIT if cut

Mitch Morse

Age: 26
Last year under contract: 2018
Post June 1? $1.1M saved

Cameron Erving

Age: 25
Last year under contract: 2018
Post June 1? $0 saved

Bryan Witzmann

Age: 27
Last year under contract: 2018
Post June 1? $1.2M saved

Parker Ehinger

Age: 25
Last year under contract: 2019
Post June 1? $639K saved

Kahlil McKenzie

Age: 21
Last year under contract: 2021
Post June 1? Contract not currently factoring into salary cap

Jordan Devey

Age: 30
Last year under contract: 2018
Post June 1? $630K saved

Here are the other offensive linemen on the roster whose contracts are not current factoring into the salary cap (along with their ages):

  • Dillon Gordon, 24
  • Ryan Hunter, 23
  • Kaleb Johnson, 25
  • Tejan Koroma, 22
  • Jimmy Murray, 23
  • Andrew Wylie, 23

I think if the Chiefs could have their way the starting line would be Fisher, Ehinger, Morse, LDT, and Schwartz. That would leave Witzmann and Erving coming off the bench (each with some position versatility) and McKenzie essentially getting a redshirt season to make the switch from defense to offense.

If there was one player in that top eight that could be knocked out it might be Ehinger if he still isn’t quite right after his injury and someone else steps up on the interior. However, I really expect that to be the group they go with if everyone is healthy. I really think they like Witzmann and Erving’s positional flexibility and Brett Veach invested a draft pick in McKenzie.

So what do you think Chiefs fans? Do you agree with some of these observations or do you think I’m reading too much into the contract situations? The three spots I’m most intrigued to watch are the third quarterback battle between McGloin and Litton, the running back spots after Hunt, and the tight end spots after Kelce. I’d love to hear in the comments below what you think.

As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!

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