Kelechi Osemele is not just a stopgap
When Duvernay-Tardif became the NFL’s first player to opt out of the NFL in 2020, Kansas City had a huge gap at guard. The Chiefs were suddenly without both starting guards from their playoff run, and though they had plans to plug in former starter Andrew Wylie at left guard, suddenly he became the replacement for Duvernay-Tardif when the team called up Kelechi Osemele.
After four games worth of hindsight, it is startling to look back and realize that Osemele was sitting around unemployed in July. The 6’5″ 330-lb. guard doesn’t fit the athletic profile of the typical Andy Reid offensive lineman, but he has provided a nasty side that the Chiefs have not seen on their offensive line since Brian Waters last played for the team in 2010.
Osemele has not missed a snap in 2020 and is firmly entrenched as the starter at left guard between Eric Fisher and Austin Reiter. And he loves it here. (Who wouldn’t?) At this point there’s no reason not to expect him to earn another deal in 2021.
The exciting thing about Osemele’s infusion of leadership and power into the lineup is the impact that it will bring to impressionable young linemen like Martinas Rankin, Nick Allegretti, Yasir Durant, and Lucas Niang.