Analyzing the future of the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line
By Matt Conner
The Looming Tackle Investment
Every year, there’s a swath of Chiefs fans ready for the team to make the next big investment at tackle. After all, there’s next-to-nothing on the roster behind the current starters and the Chiefs don’t seem concerned in the slightest. That’s likely because both Fisher and Schwartz are as reliable as they come, with Schwartz in particular locked in as the NFL’s leader in consecutive snaps played.
Some fans might be worried about the team’s willingness to roll the dice at offensive tackle, but the reality is that anyone can get injured at any time, but these tackles look the part of healthy performers. Therefore, if the Chiefs haven’t invested for the sake of emergency yet, they’re not likely to for quite some time.
By extending both tackles through the 2021 season, the front office has bought themselves some time before they really need to sink an early draft pick (likely a first rounder) into the position. While it shouldn’t surprise anyone if they went for it in any of the next three drafts, the reality is that 2020 is a better bet than 2019 and 2021 is even stronger. That would give the Chiefs one full year to onboard any future starter on the right or left side while also evaluating what exactly the current starters have left as they enter their mid-thirties.
It might seem dangerous, but remember that both Schwartz and Fisher are getting better with age and very good tackles have been known to play longer than other positions. Fisher and Schwartz have already served three years together with another three on the calendar. Maybe there’s even another one or two beyond that.