Reinforcements give Chiefs offensive line more options going forward
By Matt Conner
Reinforcements coming
In case you missed the news this week, the Chiefs not only activated Rankin, as we mentioned earlier, onto the active roster but they also brought back a familiar face with the signing of free agent offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski.
Rankin was targeted in a trade with the Houston Texans before the 2019 season began when the Chiefs sent veteran running back Carlos Hyde over in a deal. Rankin was the player-for-player return for K.C. and he immediately added versatility and potential to a unit that was lacking both, especially along the interior. Rankin took some time to acclimate before he eventually grabbed the starting left guard role for 5 starts. And then he was injured.
Not only is Rankin back along the interior, but the Chiefs also added Wisniewski back to the mix several months after their initial overture to want to sign him for 2020 in the first place. Wisniewski spurned any advances from general manager Brett Veach this offseason in order to fulfill a lifelong dream to play for his hometown team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the veteran was injured in Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve.
The Steelers ultimately reached an injury settlement with Wisniewski, which allowed him to hit free agency and sign with another team instead of lingering back on the active roster when he’d ultimately been replaced internally. The Chiefs stepped back in and Wisniewski finally landed back on the roster—well, at least the practice squad for now.