Stefen Wisniewski makes a lot of sense—again—for Kansas City Chiefs
By Matt Conner
If the Kansas City Chiefs want Stefen Wisniewski back, he’s on the market for the taking.
Last spring, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agent Stefen Wisniewski in a homecoming move for the offensive lineman. After a half season, he’s out to find a new place to call home. The Kansas City Chiefs would be wise to consider it.
Wisniewski is a familiar face for most of the players on the current Chiefs roster. That’s because he signed with the team in the middle of last season and eventually took over the starter’s reps at left guard when it mattered most—in the postseason. Wisniewski was a stable force up front that helped move the chains in the ground game and kept Patrick Mahomes upright in the passing game.
In the offseason, rumors persisted that the Chiefs wanted to re-sign Wisniewski as they were trying to reunite the cast for another chance to “run it back.” Instead, Wisniewski was also receiving overtures from other teams, and that included the Steelers. As a Pittsburgh native, he instead went with the opportunity to play in front of his hometown crowd and fulfill a childhood dream.
At the time, Wisniewski signed a two-year contract worth up to $2.85 million, but things never worked out as planned for anyone. During the season-opening game, a win over the New York Giants, Wisniewski suffered a torn pectoral muscle. He immediately was placed on injured reserve. He was activated a few weeks ago—just like Martinas Rankin with the Chiefs—but the Steelers apparently wanted to go with younger players on the roster instead of having to make a move to fit a veteran like Wisniewski back in.
The Chiefs have been shifting pieces along the offensive line all season due to injuries. However, some of the new faces have performed admirably, including Daniel Kilgore at center and Nick Allegretti at left guard. But are they better than Wisniewski? Only those privy to internal conversations at Arrowhead would be able to say for certain.
Unfortunately the Chiefs might find out their decision made for them as Wisniewski is subject to waivers despite his veteran status—a shift for vets after the NFL trade deadline. Given how weak offensive line play is around the league, it makes sense for other hopeful contenders—e.g. the Philadelphia Eagles—to claim Wisniewski on the way down the waiver wire.