KC Chiefs: Who will likely start the season at right guard?

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

If history tells us anything, then Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is the likely starter for the Chiefs in Week 1, at least, that is, if he looks the part coming back from a year away from the game.

Last season, Duvernay-Tardif decided to opt out of the 2020 season and help battle the COVID-19 pandemic on a local level in his native Quebec. It was a noble move but it’s not without its present consequences, which only complicates the present picture for the Chiefs.

Duvernay-Tardif comes with a $4.75M cap hit which makes him one of the more expensive players on the roster (9th overall in 2020 cap hit), and it’s uncertain whether or not that’s commensurate with what he brings to the table. LDT is certainly not a Pro Bowl performers, but he’s also a steady presence who has locked down the right guard spot since 2015 as a former sixth round pick.

The complications of the finances here likely help keep LDT in the fold. Releasing him creates nearly $5 million in dead cap space for the Chiefs, and trading him only creates $2M in cap relief. Perhaps that’s better than nothing if the Chiefs can find an interested team, but this only makes sense if Kyle Long did not injure his leg. Together with the others on the roster, the Chiefs could feel good about veteran players along with younger options to move a veteran before the season begins.

With Long out until the regular season—or even with that as the potential timeline, the Chiefs can ill afford to pretend they are so loaded across the line that they can deal away starting talent. After last year’s debacle, it’s worth hanging onto everyone.

Given Duvernay-Tardif’s history and financial hit, it makes sense that he could be the most likely starter here at right guard. But he’s not helping himself by missing voluntary practice time that’s allowing coaches to rave about the potential of Trey Smith or see other options slot into a potential starting front.

Week 1 Odds: 40%