Analyzing the future of the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line

Interior Decisions Must Be Made

It’s funny to see the Chiefs’ tackle positions settled like fossilized rock since the positions next to them are akin to recently tilled soil (with plenty of chance for more turnover).

The Chiefs are looking at two new starters along the offensive line in 2019 and that’s expected, especially at left guard where the Chiefs have never had a returning starter since Jeff Allen in 2013-14. (Others include Ben Grubbs, Parker Ehinger, Bryan Witzmann, Cam Erving.) This year, Andrew Wylie is the likely starter but even then he’s not a known commodity just yet and he’s going to be due an extension if he performs well.

Austin Reiter is on a two-year deal at center, while Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is an expensive right guard if he can’t get back on track after a frustrating 2018 season (even apart from the broken fibula). In short, the Chiefs have decisions to make in the very near future about each spot—about whether or not to commit to the parties currently lined up or whether to keep the commitment they have.

All of this is going to be balanced by prospects waiting in the wings. Kahlil McKenzie was selected as a long-term project in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The goal was to shift McKenzie from defensive tackle to offensive guard. Nick Allegretti was this year’s seventh round choice, a prospect with tons of starting experience at guard who also looked good under center in the Senior Bowl. Jimmy Murray, an undrafted free agent from Holy Cross, was placed on the active roster last season so the Chiefs wouldn’t lose him to teams poaching late prospects. He could be trusted at center sooner than later.

It’s also possible that none of this works out, and that the Chiefs plans to invest in the offensive line in coming drafts once the defense proves itself after such a massive reconstruction effort. Either way, major decisions have to be made.