Eric Fisher says new Chiefs linemen are fitting right in

Eric Fisher says the newcomers to the Chiefs offensive line fit right in.

As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to “run it back” in 2020 and defend their Super Bowl LIV championship, the front office made every effort to bring back the majority of their starters from a year ago. Continuity, it seems, is king. But even for those newer faces to the team, their veteran status for many of them are helping them to blend right in.

Chiefs left tackle Eric Fisher is working with a couple new contributors along the offensive—including a potential new starter or two—in Kelechi Osemele and Mike Remmers. Despite their “newcomer” status on the roster, the reality is that both players come with plenty of playing experience in the NFL and that’s serving them well so far.

Fisher recently spoke with the media about training camp and the newest additions to the line. Fisher pointed out the work put in on both sides, for players and coaches, as something to celebrate:

"“For these guys coming in [on the offensive line], they’re catching on and they’re veteran guys who have been in multiple systems. [Offensive Line] Coach [Andy] Heck is doing a great job getting them up to speed, and the guys we brought in have natural chemistry [with us]. There’s either chemistry or there’s not, and that’s the nice thing about Mike and Kelechi, they’re veteran guys who know how to do it. We’re just rolling out there and it’s good stuff.”"

The Chiefs signed Osemele shortly after news broke that starting right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif would become the first NFL player to opt out of the coming season. Osemele has played a a Pro Bowl level as a starting guard himself as recently as 2017 with the Oakland Raiders. Last year, he underwent surgery on a shoulder injury, but the Chiefs are hoping he can stay healthy and help plug a need along the line. Osemele, until he sat with a shoulder concern in training camp, had been running with the first team at left guard.

As for Remmers, he seems to be filling in the swing tackle role left vacant by Cam Erving’s signing with the Dallas Cowboys (and rookie tackle Lucas Niang’s decision to opt out as well). Remmers has started multiple years at multiple positions, giving him some much-needed versatility for the Chiefs. When Fisher himself missed time last week in practice in the concussion protocol, Remmers was taking reps at left tackle.

Even as Remmers and Osemele adjust to life in Kansas City and having Andy Reid as a head coach, it’s good to know they are both able to step right in and perform with a “natural chemistry.” The Chiefs will need it all if they want to repeat as champs.