Eric Fisher released by K.C. Chiefs

The K.C. Chiefs have released left tackle Eric Fisher, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

In a surprise move on Thursday, the Chiefs have helped clarify the picture up front for the team as they continue to focus on the offensive line after watching the team perform miserably up front in a Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game in which star quarterback Patrick Mahomes was forced to elude the opposing pass rush and was ultimately sacked three times.

Part of the Chiefs o-line issues are that Fisher didn’t even play in the game due to an Achilles injury suffered in the team’s previous postseason game, a win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship. Fisher’s injury not only cost him the Super Bowl but it also precipitated the team’s decision to cut him early in the offseason knowing there were significant financial cap ramifications looming alongside his offseason rehabilitation, one which places his ability to play next season—especially early on—in jeopardy.

Fisher’s injury coincided with a long-term back injury that plagued right tackle Mitchell Schwartz and left the Chiefs without both of their long-term starters at tackle for the biggest game of the season. Heading into the offseason, both were then two of the team’s biggest questions as 30-something offensive linemen who were facing significant health concerns.

Eric Fisher has been released by the K.C. Chiefs.

Fisher is now a free agent able to sign with any team, but no move should be expected for a very long time as any team interested will wait to see if and how he heals. That said, it is very possible that Fisher is back with the Chiefs in 2021 and that the team just needs the immediate salary cap relief heading into a new league year. Instead of restructuring a deal heading into the final season, the Chiefs have released Fisher, perhaps with the goal of re-signing him to a contract that makes better sense when both parties have a better understanding of his ability to play.

Then again, given the nature of Achilles injuries, it’s also very possible that Fisher is forced to sit out 2021 entirely. At this point, it’s just impossible to say. The good news, for Fisher, is that the internal timeline given by Chiefs trainers was that he would be able to return by training camp. For now, however, the team has decided to officially get him off the books.