It’s no secret that the likeliest reason the 2020 K.C. Chiefs didn’t hoist last season’s Lombardi Trophy was their offensive line play. Patrick Mahomes was running for his life from the first snap of the Super Bowl on, and even he couldn’t overcome the Chiefs deficiencies that day.
This isn’t to say that the Chiefs don’t have good players along the offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus, the average for the eight players with the highest snap counts along the offensive line in 2020 was 68.93. This isn’t in the elite range but it’s above average.
The main obstacles going forward for the Chiefs offensive line are age and consistency. Mitchell Schwartz had much needed surgery this offseason, and most signs point to his return, but the truth is he’s on the wrong side of 30. I’m not saying that personally, but the historical trend for players after 30 isn’t up. Especially for those with major injuries in their past.
Eric Fisher is younger, but he just sustained a significant lower body injury. The older a player gets the harder it is for them to recover, and an Achilles tear can often hamper a player whose money is made on the move long after they recover from the injury. Anyone remember Derrick Johnson?
Then there’s the question of consistency on the interior. A number of Chiefs backups played well this season, but can the team rely on them to protect Patrick Mahomes consistently next year? The Super Bowl has most in Chiefs Kingdom feeling anxious about that answer.
It’s a position that needs to be addressed either in free agency or the NFL Draft. Luckily, there are a number of players who might fit nicely with the team next season.
Russell Okung, Left Tackle
Russell Okung just wrapped up a four-year contract worth $53 million. During that stretch he played roughly 2,500 snaps and only allowed eight sacks.
Okung is a talented, two-time Pro Bowler with loads of starting experience. He’s the type of player Patrick Mahomes could rely on to do his job effectively, and he could probably be had at a bargain compared to a number of other free agent tackles.
The question with Okung, like a handful of other Chiefs players, is his age. He’ll be 33 next season, so you have to wonder how much he has left in the tank. That said, a wily veteran like Okung at the right price might be worth the risk for the Chiefs in 2021.